From libertarian Michael A. LaFerrara:
I hated school. In high school, I was failing my ninth grade science (among other courses). In a private conference with my science teacher, my mother was told about an upcoming term paper assignment. My mother mentioned that I was very interested in weather. Problem was, weather was not one of the approved subject choices for the paper. But my teacher, Mrs. Haver–to her credit–told my mother to inform me that I could do my paper on weather.
Well, I dove right in, turning out a massive document, on which I received an A+. More interestingly, part of the term paper requirement was to give an oral presentation to the class. It was to be about 5 minutes or so for each student. When my turn came, I happened to be first up on that day. So, I got up there and got started.