Jim Rosen, retired director of Apollo Truck Driving Academy, Jared McNeely, the letter’s author, and Chris Pfister, former Apollo superintendent, reunite 14 years after the letter-writing assignment at the Apollo Truck Driving Academy.
Dean Brown | The Lima News
LIMA — Following a dream can mean different things to different people, but in general, it means pursuing a passion or goal that is deeply meaningful to you. It could be a long-held aspiration to achieve something specific, such as becoming a professional athlete, starting your own business, or writing a book. It could be a desire to become a truck driver.
In 2009 , Mrs. Woodward’s fourth-grade students at Hardin Central were tasked with the assignment to write a letter to colleges, universities and academies of the students’ choice asking questions about a career in which they were interested. Jared McNeely wrote to the Apollo Truck Driving Academy with the hope of becoming a truck driver just like his father.
“The assignment was to pick a career that you wanted in the future, after you graduate. Find a school that has further education for that career. Write a letter to them asking about the career and asking for more information. So we did that,” McNeely said.
Many of the other students were receiving pennants and other items from various colleges and universities. McNeely got nothing. Then one day, it was his turn.
“I was sitting in class and my parents walk in the classroom and two guys (Jim Rosen, director of the academy, and Chris Pfister, superintendent of Apollo) walk in with them. I’m like, ‘O God, what did I do?’ They brought me some T-shirts and a poster. Then we took a picture.”
That picture appeared in the local paper. The dream never died. McNeely said that he still has the poster.
After graduation McNeely started farming, another career that he enjoyed. He discovered that farming is hard work and seasonal. He figured that driving a truck is something that he could do during down-time from farming.
It’s one thing to have a dream, but it’s another to take action toward making it a reality. McNeely is starting small, taking steps that are manageable and achievable, and gradually building his momentum to achieve his goal.
“Eventually I want to become an owner/operator and own my own truck. I have an F-350. I’m looking to get into hotshot and pulling goosenecks, picking up small loads at places and delivering them,” said McNeely. “You still need a CDL to hotshot over 26,000.”
Following a dream is a journey, not a destination. The process of growing and evolving while working toward a goal can make the achievement even more satisfying.
Reach Dean Brown at 567-242-0409
