VWHS seniors give teachers pat on back

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

For the past 20 years, the Van Wert Teachers’ Appreciation Banquet has allowed students to talk about their favorite teachers and school staff. The evenings include both poignancy and humor as 10 Van Wert High School seniors read essays telling their favorite teachers about the impact they had on their lives.

The program allows the five top academic seniors, as well as five other seniors selected by a committee to read their essays at the banquet in front of their favorite teachers.

The evening, funded by the Van Wert City Endowment for Educators, which was begun by longtime school psychologist Randy Gardner in 1995, himself a VWHS graduate, to honor three of his favorite teachers: Glen Livingston, Gil Smith and his grandfather, Ralph Gallapoo, is a positive one that shows teachers how much they can influence students, both in and out of the classroom.

Emcee and former VWHS principal Wally Grimm perhaps said it best when he noted: “To every single teacher, and I believe this from the bottom of my heart, that somewhere along the line in your educational experience, you’ve touched somebody.”

The letters written by seniors as part of a class assignment can often be humorous as students relate moments they shared with a teacher, but tears also often flow, from both teachers and students, as the seniors talk about times when teachers were there to help them through troubling times.

Senior Brittney Boaz wrote how elementary guidance counselor Angie Murphy helped her through family troubles when she was young.

“I remember I used to think it was my fault and you helped me to not think that,” Boaz said, adding that Murphy’s kindness and understanding has also shaped her desire to earn degrees in social work and child development so she can help other troubled children.

Oftentimes, students thank teachers for pushing them to excel and do things they might not do on their own.

Alexis Hawkins wrote that teacher Brendon Moody pushed her to run cross country and do other things that she was not comfortable with at the time, but later proved to be a blessing.

Daniel Perry’s essay was nearly existential as he wrote about how it took him awhile to learn the meaning behind teacher Cindy Thomas’ surprise quizzes — which, coincidentally, he often didn’t do all that well on.

“I have discovered that, while a correct answer and a successful end is still satisfying, it’s the process, the journey, the work put in, that so delightfully flavors the final result,” said Perry, who plans to study religion in college. “It took four years for it to sink in, but once it did, I developed a new outlook for every task I was set to.”

VWHS Principal Bill Clifton noted that, for the first time in the banquet’s history, both of the high school band directors, Robert Sloan and Tina Decker, were honored by students.

Emily Bair told Decker how much sending a get-well card when Bair had hurt her ankle meant to her.

“Simply seeing your name and reading your handwriting brought peace and comfort during the toughest time in my high school career,” she said.

As was the case this year, oftentimes it’s just the way a teacher approaches life that motivates and inspires a student.

Becky Anderson noted that teacher Tom Brown’s sunny disposition motivated her to take his English class rather than a Advanced Placement English class, and also to pursue her career dreams.

Chemistry teacher Mary Kramer, like Brown a multiple honoree at the banquet, was honored by Nick Krugh for being someone who went the extra mile to mentor and inspire him.

It’s also true that a first impression is often what matters, and that was true for Isaac Rager, who praised his kindergarten teacher, Diane Hood, for helping through a difficult adjustment to school.

“I think it’s awesome that you actually put up with me, and you were probably the nicest teacher I’ve ever had,” he said.

Intervention specialist Karen Emerine was also thanked by student D.J. Pahl for helping him both in his studies and his personal life.

Gardner said that teachers can have a powerful impact on their students, one demonstrated by the words students read on Thursday.

“It’s amazing the power that teachers have, or really any significant others have, who actually believe in someone,” he said. “When you think that someone actually believes in you, it’s amazing what you are able to accomplish.”

VWCS Superintendent Ken Amstutz also honored retiring teachers at the end of the program, noting that 12 teachers with a total of 366 years of experience would be retiring this school year. Those teachers include Dave Branfield, John Butler, Kim Clifton, Mark Collins, Tom Emerine, Kathy Fleming, Randy Humerickhouse, Patti Keipper, Paula LaRue, Mary Martz, Deb Nedderman and Bonnie Thatcher.