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Jun 30, 2006

FROM NOWHERE TO SOMEWHERE—THANKS TO THE NATIONAL GUARD ACADEMY, GRADS RIGHT THE WRONGS OF MISSPENT YOUTH

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Dunn County News, WI
By Maralene Strom

This is the story of a young man and a decision he made at a critical juncture in his life. It is also a story of his mother and stepfather. In essence, it is a story of despair, courage and renewal.

Nola (Schutts) Tyrell of Sand Creek spent sleepless nights and days in despair as she watched her son, Steve Schutts, Jr., becoming someone she could not understand. Nor could she seem to prevent him from taking a road she knew would lead to disaster. She felt helpless, scared, frustrated, angry - and filled with love for a son who was changing before her eyes.
Steve explained that his discontent began in the eighth grade, taking the form of acting out. Prior to that time, his life experience included his parents’ divorce when he was seven and his mother’s subsequent remarriage several years later.

For a young child, divorce is usually the cause of grief and misunderstanding. Steve also presented with some educational issues that, at times, manifested themselves in inappropriate behavior, starting in the third and fourth grade.

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