Paul Borte's Story

This was a new concept to me, and it made me excited to have such freedom. I hope every student regardless of age can have the freedom to pick classes. I believe all the teachers would sit at tables with various sheets and people would just sign up.

One of my earliest memories was walking to Washington Park a few times for class. Another place I remember going was the Stone House over by the Lower Macleay trail; in high school it was always referred to as the witches' house.

Lewis Holland was upstairs, in the second room with windows to the parking lot. I think I got my math credits for high school mostly from him. He had an old Compaq computer; I think I remember playing Rampage on it (the 286 version?). Lewis always tried to encourage learning and hoped I would go to college and get a degree. I loved how he would bike to school; he was a funny man. Barbara Stross was in the shop room, down the stairs on the right; I remember taking a lot of science from her. Craig (I can't remember his last name!) was my high school advisor. I don't remember what he taught but I think language arts, and I believe he was upstairs in the first room on the right side. I think among all the staff in my 3-1/2 years Barbara made the biggest impression. During lunch she would leave the room open and a few students would watch VHS tapes. She is one of the few people I still am in contact with since school.

One of the most important lessons I learned at MLC was trying my hardest. I think my high school class had a lot of people who would skip class and be held back a year and drop out. Having a Learning Difference I had to work extra hard, but it would pay off. I think only in the 9th grade would I wander around; I found a few other older high schoolers watching animé, I think in the shop, and that was kinda how I got back into animé. Tangently I think in 12th grade there was another teacher, I think on the main floor, who would teach Japanese; the name sadly escapes me. And there was another teacher who held a class after school about film theory.

MLC had the most profound effect on me. Learning to make friends has led to so many opportunities .... My hard work has paid off, working at the same job for over 25 years, the head of the company even saying "Thank you" for being one of the best and most dedicated workers. Those VHS tapes during lunch led me to get involved in a 47-year-old SciFi convention that I've attended for over two decades, and to attending and being staff at a local animé con, and to so many other opportunities. Those people who meet me regard me as open, friendly and very helpful. All of this is largely due to going to MLC. (Paul Borte, 2025)

PAUL BORTE sent in his lovely story shortly before MLC History Night in October 2025, and we got to meet him in person at the event. Paul expresses gratitude to MLC and its teachers for freedoms, friendships, acceptance, some great lunchtime happenstance, and an emphasis on hard work that has served him well in a successful and satisfying work life.

Photo: Kumoricon

I came to MLC I think in January of 94, entering the second half of 9th grade. I was excited to attend and knew a few people. Selecting classes was done I think twice a school year for high school students, and would be held in the area in front of the school stage.