I was lucky enough to have a mentor throughout high school. She is one of the strong women that have shaped me into who I am today and I have so much gratitude for her. Molly Rice was always more than a teacher. She creates bonds with her students that set her apart from any other teacher I have had.

Over four years taking her classes and being under her shadow we became friends. But it wasn’t just me. She forms friendships with many of her students, ones that continue after graduation. As a teacher she goes an extra step, really taking on the role of a sculptor of lives.

She did just that with me. When I entered her classroom, I had potential that some might call talent, and I left confident in my abilities, even the ones you wouldn’t expect to be relevant in a theatre classroom. Molly Rice understands theatre and the fact that the art form is more than just that. The class can teach you much more than just how to act.

I could go on to say all that I learned in her class but instead, I’ll tell you that I felt like I could do or be anything because I had Rice as a teacher. More importantly, though, I came out with confidence and a belief in my talent that I never had before.

She adjusts her classes to benefit the different talents and desires in the room. I loved acting, but my passion lies more with poetry and writing. On top of writing poetry, she introduced me to translating prose into play format.

What I am most thankful for that Molly Rice gave me is my compassion. It existed before having her as a mentor, but the receivers were close to home. In four years under Rice, I worked with the homeless, elderly, mentally ill, and children in social services.

Community service became a huge part of my life. My favorite work in theatre was when we worked with a group in need and we raised money and awareness to support them. Meeting new people from different situations opened my mind and heart which bettered my poetry.

Molly Rice helped me realize what was important. Like everyone else I was concerned with problems that affected me or that I was more familiar with. Even as children she showed that we could do something. That using art and kindness we can do monumental things to change the lives around us.

I was lucky to have her. She is too good for what she does and is underappreciated but the amazing thing about Molly Rice is that she puts everyone else first. Her calling is to art and helping others. Her heart is a mountain and she has imprinted on lives for forty plus years. People like her are creating a world that I am proud to live in.