Casual Friday: Dartanian Kauffman is not your typical teenager

Dartanian Kauffman's co-workers started teasing him about his newfound fame earlier this week, after he was the subject of a negative post on a local Facebook review page.

The 16-year-old Sonic Drive-In carhop took the criticism - and the good-

natured ribbing that followed it - in stride, much like everything else that has led up to this point in his life.

Kauffman shares an apartment with his 21-year-old brother and legal guardian, Tristin Thomas. They support each other financially, meaning Kauffman has had to make sacrifices many of his peers haven't.

He stopped playing sports and began working at 14. He doesn't own a computer or a cellphone, and typically steers clear of social media. He does his best to keep his grades up, and hopes to graduate early so he can work longer hours and start taking college classes.

As for the widely read Facebook dis, one of the many commenters who defended Kauffman has organized a "Dartanian Day" event for customers to show their support and appreciation. It is scheduled for 4-5 p.m. Sunday at the Lewiston Sonic.

Doug Bauer: What do you like about working at Sonic?

Dartanian Kauffmann: Honestly, my favorite thing is probably the tips and the opportunity, really. I have yet to get the chance to, but when I can come out here on skates and roll around - I don't even know how to skate yet, but when I do, it's going to be fun. I'll be able to roll around and get everybody's order out faster. Other than that, it's honestly kind of like a little cool hangout place. We get everything done, we get our food out. Everyone is close. We're all kind of friends in here. Nobody's really disrespectful to each other.

DB: What are your plans after high school?

DK: Recently I've been taking English and creative writing. I've been thinking about being an English teacher, going to college for that. Obviously, plans change, but right now that's pretty much what's piqued my interest.

DB: How do you juggle working part time and going to high school?

DK: It's very difficult. I ... don't have a normal, typical teenage life. I try to get the money. That's pretty much what I'm here for. ... I got past minimum wage; I make tips. The second I get done from school, I walk wherever I've got to go or I get a ride and I come to work. Yes, sometimes I'm late. ... How do I do it? I can't really say, but I manage it.

DB: What are the circumstances that led to you and your brother living together?

DK: We both had a very bad past life. ... (We're) making money, trying to get away from everything that has brought us troubles in the past.

DB: What's it like being on your own and supporting yourself?

DK: I have a lot more to deal with on my own, but my brother has been there with me my whole life. ... Pretty much without him, I wouldn't have been much. But we fight through everything. We've been doing it on our own essentially since we were about 7 or 8 years old. I mean, we just get through stuff. We're bull-headed, we know what to do and we go through it. ... We are always there for each other, we always have been.

DB: You don't have a phone or a computer, and don't do social media. That's not typical of someone your age, is it?

DK: Nope. ... I have very few friends, and the ones that I have come up to me. As far as internet goes, I stay off of it. I'm at school, I'm at work, I'm at home, and that's pretty much the end of it. ... Most people have a social life and like to get caught up in some of the drama, but I figured it's easier to keep to myself, especially the way things go because I don't like to get asked all the 'what happened in your past life?' questions. I want to worry about what's ahead of me. Right now, me and my brother gotta focus on what's ahead of us, so we work on that.

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Bauer is managing editor of the Lewiston Tribune. He may be contacted at dbauer@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2269.