Class of 2010, 2005-2006, by Stacia Studer

From MemoryArchive

Who: Stacia Studer
What: Memories of the class of 2010 
When: 2005-2006
Where: Middle School 

“THE GAME.” With a blow of the whistle, the game begins at Bode Middle School.

Ms. Hellerich’s last words... “We all think about doing things, like I should have said hi, or I should have said how much I loved him or her. And I could have done something like that, but last night it hit me like a ton of bricks (those of you who have had Ms. Hellerich’s class know that is indeed a simile). I realized for the first time that on June 5 or September 2, none of you would be there from this 8th grade class to greet me.”

I am about to tell this class of 132 good-bye. Are you kidding? I can’t do it! I won’t do it! In fact, I might even move up... again! Looping, that’s what the educational theorists have called it! Wait! I did that last year! Sure did, followed this group of then 7th graders to 8th grade. Can’t do it, again! Sure I can do it, but I know that the freshmen English teacher has been drooling to get these students for some time! So I must let them go; I scan the room in disbelief that these remarkable, talented young people will no longer call me their English teacher. Being a former player, now a coach, and just having a pure passion for the game of basketball, I seek out my starting five for the game that we all play - life.

“Ms. H - I feel like one of the luckiest students ever because I had the coolest language arts teacher two years in a row. I’m going to miss you next year all the way from Mississippi! Look in your mailbox for a postcard from me. Love, Chandler.

Ms. Hellerich’s last words... “For the first time in two years, I will look over at Mrs. Hubbard’s side of the room and not see Cori Canes dancing and singing away to Rascal Flatts. Dallas James wouldn’t run in with five minutes left (usually with her breakfast from Sonic or McDonald’s) and hand me a paper or ask what we were doing today. I wouldn’t get a chance to see Lindsey Clary take down all of my blue chairs, and Brian Butler run into the room at 7:59 to tell me he just got here and needed to go to his locker. Last, but not least, Chandler Lamp wouldn’t be there to greet me for a smile on her face. Thank you Chandler for teaching me hard work leads to success.”

Starting at point guard...Chandler! What an overachiever! Typical overachiever – hair pulled back in a ponytail, glasses, hard-worker, one hand in the air and one hand writing furiously, the one who gives you that reassuring nod while you struggle to find the lost copies of the worksheets that you ran off at 8:01 that morning. Gosh, where did I place those? Anyway, she is my rock. She always comes prepared for today, tomorrow, and the next day’s class. Yet, she is constantly worried about her grade. I know this because she constantly waits for me before or after class, and asks, “Have you done grades? If so, has mine changed any from the last time I checked.” I believe she is the only person that gets upset with 102% for a class grade. Who better to lead my team!

“Mrs. Hellerich, This year I never wanted to end. I had so much fun this year having you being my teacher. I learned a lot. You have to be my most favorite teacher of all time and no sucking up involved. I wish it didn’t go by so fast but unfortunately it did. Thanks for letting us have a blast in your class. Much Love, Breenon”

Ms. Hellerich’s last words... “Adam Greg wouldn’t run in and sneak a drink of my pop and ask if Mrs. Hubbard was in a bad or good mood. Jonathan Mack wouldn’t meander in and mumble, “Ms. Hellerich, 15-0, we slaughtered them during our baseball game last night.” For those of you who don’t know, this all happens before 8:00 a.m. When 8 a.m. hits there wouldn’t be any Isaiah to help with attendance or Luther/Jerad pleading with me to run any type of errands or Tyler Gate popping in and out of his seat usually with the roar of Mrs. Hubbard behind him. Breenon won’t be bopping down the hall without a care in the world knowing quite well that he was tardy to my class. Thank you, Breenon, for teaching me patience.”

At Guard...Brennon! Have you ever heard of the Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences? Didn’t actually think they were true until I meet this young man – kinesthetic learner. Took awhile to get use to this young man; all the shaking and moving, up-down, side to side, head bopping, up-down grooving, I am tired just thinking about it, but what an amazing young man! The most talented writer I have ever encountered! Could whip a five paragraph essay out in no time! One of those students who any challenge I would throw out at him, he could tackle in less than twenty minutes. Not long enough for a forty-five minute class! Oh no, there goes the moving and shaking, again! By December, I had him under control! “Brennon, I think Kenisha needs someone to peer revise her paper!” And boy was he as honest as they come! I chatted many times with him on what constructive criticism was and how to use it. He could have another student’s paper marked up in red in no time. Yet by the end of the year, he was a better teacher than I was. The best peer reviser I have ever seen and the students lined up for him to check their work. That’s exactly why I have him as my guard. He would be a great shooter, but I bet he would be better at defense.

“Ms. H- Over 2 years of being in your class, it’s not hard to realize how great of a teacher you truly are. Thanks for making class fun, and thanks for helping me with personal problems. I appreciate what you’ve done for me, and for everyone. Love always, Kenisha”

Ms. Hellerich’s last words... “And you know I thought about saying, oh I should have told them this and that, but each and every one of you are too special to me…. I owe you my thoughts and wishes throughout life for you have taught me about enduring lives obstacles and struggles. Even on my darkest day, I know that I must endure and keep tracking through this journey we call life. Thank you, Kenisha, for teaching me endurance!”

At Forward...Kenisha! Sweetest person you could ever meet, yet the saddest life story that one would ever hear! I discovered from her peers that she lived in and out a car or hotel. Same daily outfit – red hearted valentine shirt, pair of light faded blue jeans still covered in lunch mustard stain from a week ago with uncombed hair ratted in the back. Her mom forced in and out of prison for drugs. Heard enough? Sure, I gave this information to the counselor, but little they could do. She was the first to school and the last to leave school. She became my second daughter, my basketball manager, my track manager, my before morning breakfast partner and afternoon snack partner. Even with all this, she gave 110% in class and her grade demonstrated her hard-work. She never complained or sang to me her sad life story. The most optimistic person I have ever met, life was great to her. That is exactly why I made her a forward; she blocks anything ugly life might shoot at her.

“Mrs. Hellerich. I’m going to miss you so much. Thank you for helping me through middle school. Love you, Briana”

Ms. Hellerich’s last words... “Know that whenever you are having a hard time or stumble, Mrs. Hubbard and I will be there. Maybe not physically, but you take a part of us with you. Guys and gals, you are our best friends; we spend more time thinking and being with you than our own families. We’ll be that little voice inside your head saying pull yourself up, don’t stress, things will be fine. Whenever you feel like that, take this stone and put all of your fears and worries into it and we will be your shoulder and carry your burdens just like the star I received from Brianna. Thank you Brianna for teaching me that people do value what I say even when I doubt myself.

At Center...Brianna! Quietest young lady you would ever meet. Even when I tried to talk, joke, or ask a question, she would not say a word; her eyes would fall to the table, then her hair would fall in front of her face and her head would bow down before me. At first, I never knew if she was listening to me or dreaming about what she wanted to do after my 8th hour English class. However, that was clarified by her first writing assignment. I read one of her first papers and discovered that the pen was her tool of communication; she was listening to every mini-lesson. It was her outstanding writing that did the talking for her. Yet, I never personally got close to Brianna. Our only communication was through writing. She always earned A’s in the class, but I was so frustrated about not getting her to open up to me. A week before school ended I had just concluded, my end-of year just make sure they don’t punch each other lesson, when I walked over to my desk and found a note with a beautiful gold star pin with a blue stone placed in the center. I had noticed that Brianna was slow to leave my class that day, and she was still gathering her books from the table and mumbled under her breath, “My mom wanted me to give that to my favorite teacher.” Before I could say a word she hustled out the door, but her words will stick with me forever. The blue center of that star will never be forgotten, and that is why Brianna becomes the center of this team.

“H.A.G.S. I had fun. Thanks for the great year! -Kennon.”

Ms. Hellerich’s last words... “I also wish you remember who you are - YOU! High school is a scary place at times, and there are going to be times when you think who is this person is starring at me in the mirror? If that ever happens, stop yourself and spend some time with just you. Because ten years down the road, you will be responsible for you! Don’t take life so seriously that you forget the fun that life throws at you! Be able to laugh at yourself. Thank you, Kennon, for teaching me to laugh when I think life is just too complicated “

Last but not least, At Forward...Kennon! “Class Clown” were some of the elementary teacher’s comments! “Behavior gets in the way of his learning” another comment written by his transfer middle school teacher I received Kennon’s cum file. Before I actually met him, I knew what I was in for- a lot of work with little time. Keenon came to me in December of 2005 and his reading score showed he possessed the reading level of a 2nd grader. Any scientist (or anyone for that matter) could see that his behavior covered up for his lack of reading skills. I began to work with him individually, and he thrived on this attention. Through conferencing and differentiated instruction, Kennon slowly progressed. I can’t part the Red Sea, but Kennon moved an entire grade level in a half a year. Not only did he start to succeed, but Kennon was a fun young man. He was a class clown, but every class needs one of those. Kennon symbolizes not only success but a love for life. Success and fun are needed to win games. That is why Kennon concludes my starting five as a forward.

“I know I was your favorite student. You were my favorite teacher. LOL! Edward.”

Ms. Hellerich’s last words... “Live everyday like it was your last. We all learned a valuable lesson this year. We have heard the cliché. Life is too short. But it is. Life is too short. Don’t ever say I wish it was tomorrow, because tomorrow may not come. If you ever feel yourself about to say that, please remember Ed’s smiling face and red hair sitting in my first hour. If that doesn’t stop your heart and touch it to the core, then nothing ever will. Thank you, Ed, for teaching me to live each day to the fullest.”

The 6th Man Award...Edward! The 6th Man Award recognizes the NBA’s top player in a reserve role and is voted on by a panel of sportswriters. I am going to declare myself as the ultimate decision maker of this award for this class for 2010. On the morning of October 13, 2005, Edward sat in my first hour and completed his own personal narrative, but by 10 p.m. that same day Edward had lost his life to a drunk driver while riding his bike. You know I could say I learned a lot from this Edward’s death, but I think it is more important to say I learned more about how Edward lived his life than anything. Edward wasn’t a bad or good student. He was what our district calls those “the middle of the road” students. He earned average grades and did enough to squeak through my class. But Edward was just a fun kid to be around – he lived life the way Edward wanted to live life. Edward displayed that wonderful transformation of maturity that students undergo from 7th into 8th grade. This process was so great that I telephoned his mom to let her know of his growth. I am so honored to give this special award to a very special young man. He may be gone, but his marks on my life will never disappear.

With a blow of the whistle, the game ends!

Ms. Hellerich’s last words...“Okay this is my conclusion (yes this is five paragraphs with at least 4 sentences in each one), I will never say good-bye….but I will say we love you. Remember I are here, too, and please remember us.”

I have done it! The clock has run out of time and the referee has called the game. As for me, I have said my good-byes and cried my last tears. As for those 132 faces, they have disappeared from my life as fast as they came. The game of life will continue to bounce in a new direction – a direction that leads them to life’s many victories.