While it’s not uncommon for high schoolers to work a part time job, it is uncommon for them to drive 35 minutes to work. Many students work in town or just outside of town. Senior Miranda Chitwood works in Wichita at Dillons on Maple and 135th Street. She is a part time bagger/checker. During the week, Miranda often has to leave directly after school for work. Her shift ends anywhere from 9-11 p.m. depending on the day.

Some students struggle balancing school work and sports. Imagine not getting home from a game until almost midnight.

“One time I stayed up until two in the morning doing homework,” Chitwood said.

Not only does she struggle to balance homework and her job, but sometimes she even struggles to make it to work on time. Chitwood arrives in Wichita for work around the same time everyone else is getting off work.

“Sometimes the traffic is really bad or there is a wreck, and I almost don’t make it there in time,” she said.

If Chitwood gets called in, she can’t be there in five minutes like students can if they work here in town. Also, Chitwood does not work with people she has known her whole life. She isn’t familiar with her coworkers on a personal level.

“I deal with a lot of weird and rude people,” Chitwood said.

In the small town of Conway Springs, these are not common issues. Chitwood’s work place experience is different to say the least.