I know what you’re thinking. Ugh, another cliché article about how someone cannot believe high school is over and how the years went by sooooo fast. Yeah, no, it’s not gonna be like that at all, so keep on reading.

If there’s anything to take out of high school, it’s the teachers. Maybe I’m biased because growing up with my mom being a teacher, I was always taught to appreciate and respect them because they’re there for a reason; to help and guide you. So, fortunately enough, when August 2010 rolled around, as well as May 2014, I encountered teachers that have forever changed my experience at Niles West, so I would like to make some thank you’s.

Mrs. Graham- I know that I just wrote an article about you, but I really cannot express enough into words how much your wisdom  advice has made me grow as a person. You continue to inspire me and I know you’ll be amazing teaching AP Lit next year.

Mr. Grais- My counselor for four years, but our relationship is like we’ve known each other forever. I know everyone thinks they have the best counselor, but you’re really one of a kind. Prime example: last week when I went to visit you and get my orange slip signed so I could get my cap and gown, I was expecting a baked good of some sort, since I saw my friend with chocolate cake and another with a cookie. I asked you where mine was and you reached into your drawer and pulled out a Nature Valley ‘Oats and Honey’ granola bar and said, “congratulations on graduating, woo.” I owe all my years, and this year, especially all to you for always having my back. You’re an amazing person and I was so blessed to have you by my side throughout high school.

Ms. Lauer- I really don’t think there’s a better leader in this school besides you. You know how to interact and make everyday in News worthwhile coming to. I think I like you so much because you remind me of a (slightly) older version of myself: hilarious, talented, sarcastic, successful… should I keep going? Thanks for listening to all my ranting during second period, and truly helping me find my voice writing columns and hopefully my book. Can’t wait to keep in touch with you throughout Indiana!

Mrs. Sipiera- My whole life I’ve been terrible at science. Well, okay, maybe not in second grade when all I had to do was do some observations on meal worms, but you get it. Junior year when I was so overwhelmed with all my classes and came into Physics 10-20, I didn’t know what to think. But you by far made my junior year. Instead of dreading my next class, I walked enthusiasticly to the third floor because I knew we were going to have a good day. Your sense of humor and honest personality are qualities that any student could look up to. You’re real and tell it like it is, and I think that for me, that helped me learn not just about the Doppler Effect, but about my life as a teenager in general.

Mrs. Schmidt- Well you kinda know already that you’re sorta the best…your enthusiasm to teach and help others is genuine, which is why you stand out from the rest. You don’t just want us to take the class just to take the class. I’m sure you wouldn’t really be hurt by if we couldn’t remember what the functions of mechanical and chemical digestion were in ten years; all that mattered was showing what kind of person we were doing it. Were we lazy? Coming in over five minutes late to class and going through the motions of early bird? Or were you annoying like me, coming in almost every morning of a test or quiz to ask you questions and beg you to make me a workout and meal plan on how to lose weight? All in all, you’re a selfless person, and the most vital thing you taught me this year (no, not framework of the pharynx; although, I did ace that test), was to have confidence in myself through my schoolwork, and that’s how I’ll succeed.

Coach Selander- Dear dear Selandy. Coming into Poms freshman year, you intimidated me so much. Looking back when I was on the Freshman and JV team, I think I was just shy around you because I knew how much you wanted varsity to go hard and focus, and that kinda scared me because I didn’t know if I was ready for that. Yet when the time came to get into my big girl uniform, you showed me everything that I needed to know; in the dance studio and out. Like a lot of the girls on Poms say, you’re like our second mom. You look out for us with always your best interest at heart, and make us work hard till we feel like we’re dying: literally. But in the end, that makes us stronger. And that is true evidence of the quote, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Regardless of the choices I have made throughout high school, you will always mean the world to me and have impacted me eternally.

WELL, there ya have it folks! Six educators who taught me significant life lessons, mostly right in this building on 5701 Oakton Street. So, underclassmen, instead of staring at the clock so long you feel like your eyes are going to bleed because you can’t bear to learn about logirithims for a moment longer, look up and notice that maybe this teacher has more to offer. Take something away from at least one teacher this year, because I’m sure they’ve made a difference in you more than you think.

Until next time,

Gretchen Sterba