Dear Teachers,

It's certainly been a wild 13 years, but I certainly wouldn't be here today without you. From my first day of kindergarten to my last few days of senior year, you have all played tremendous roles in my life.

To the teacher who treated me like one of her own, thank you. You made the classroom a place where I felt comfortable, and because of that, I have thrived. You showed me at age five that teaching was not just a job to you. And at times, your tough love taught me the values I needed to learn the most — kindness, humility, integrity; I could go on forever. You were my role model, and your emphasis on character helped me place emphasis on my character.

To the teacher who wheeled a heavy piano down the hall for me to play, thank you. I was only nine, but you saw potential in me. You encouraged my love for music and gave me every opportunity to perform. Because of this, the piano bench became my second home. You helped me grow in my confidence as a musician, and I could not have asked for anything more.

To the teacher who encouraged me to pursue my passions, thank you. Looking back on it, I was a timid sixth grader who needed that extra push. You made me love learning for the sake of learning, and you taught me to blaze my own path. Who cared if I was a nerd on the math team? You helped me build up my skill and confidence when I needed it most.

To the teachers who always had words of wisdom to offer, thank you, all of you. You told me things that I didn't always want, but needed to hear. Throughout the ups and downs of high school, you taught me to be faithful in the little things.

To the coaches and sponsors who willingly volunteered their time, thank you. In addition to your teaching, you had an influence on my life outside the classroom. Thank you for being our friends, advocates and confidants.

To the teacher who endlessly believed in me, thank you. Your class was always one I was excited to attend. Your authenticity and investment in students was always inspiring, and many can attest to that. You didn't just believe in me, you helped me turn seemingly faraway dreams into reality.

To the teacher who didn't believe in me, thank you, too. We may not have seen eye to eye on everything, but I still appreciate and respect you. The world is full of diverse perspectives, and yours was one of them. You made me want to work harder to prove you wrong. Life, after all, isn't always smooth sailing, and I have learned to understand and adjust to any system.

To all my teachers, your dedication has not and does not go unappreciated.

Thank you always,

Angela