I lost myself my junior year of high school.

I'd always been someone who kept to themselves but I was always able to coexist with the world, somehow, and felt grounded in what I had built. But then, junior year happened and I found my own self much more comfortable of a place to reside than with anybody else.

I shut down. Locked myself away. I lost people. I stopped trying. I went to school each morning, kept my head down, ignored the people I once held close. All because I became crippled by my anxiety. Later that year, I was diagnosed with social phobia and my desire to stay hidden made much more sense. I was never a target of bullying or anything- I was lucky in that sense- but even in a school with only around 400 students, my face blended in with the walls around me.

But there was one person that saw me through the camouflage. One teacher that cared about me and made it clear that he cared about me. His name is Justin Pominville and he's the one that got me through my last two years of high school.

Mr. Pominville knew everybody by name, always said hello to you when you passed, and was clearly passionate about what he did. He was my biggest advocate when it was decided I needed an education plan that took into account my social phobia, panic attacks, and migraines. He never passed any judgement towards me or anybody he came in contact with. He was always in my corner and made sure I got through my high school career with a sound mind. Even after being out of high school for a year, I went back there one day when I picked up one of my best friends. When I said hello to him, he greeted me with a smile and a hug, still believing in me and still in my corner.

Looking back on my high school years as I sit here about to graduate from college, I know I never could have made it through without Mr. Pominville's encouragement. And I write this today because I don't think I ever really thanked him for all that he did. I've never been good with verbal thank you's so I chose to write it down.

Justin, Mr. Pominville, whatever I'm meant to call you now, thank you for believing in me and helping me believe in myself. I will forever be grateful for all that you did, not only for me, but everyone back in the good ol' Uxbridge High. You were a constant presence for me at that school and your spirit is what got me through those two tough years. It's cliche to say but I could not have done it without you. I don't think I would have fought for myself if it wasn't for you. You've helped so many people just because of who you are.

I speak for a lot of high schools when I say: thank you. From the bottom of my heart. You were the one that made high school bearable.