Teachers ready to lend their support
Although the economy isn't at its finest and budget cuts have wiped out even our supply of facial tissues, Lindhurst High School teachers remain the core of what makes the school such a pleasant place to be.
"I wouldn't feel up to coming to school every day if it wasn't for the teachers here," said Taylor Long, a senior at LHS.
Throughout my four years of high school, I have encountered teachers' genuine, caring actions, which illustrate the fact that they arrive on campus ready to fulfill more than just the basic requirements of their jobs.
For example, club advisers go above and beyond. A few have taken on the challenge of leading students in hosting events such as an academic decathlon or a basketball homecoming.
The stipend club advisers receive doesn't compare to the positive impact they make on our lives. Our club advisers guide us through the steps of putting on a school activity. With their guidance, we gain leadership skills that will remain with us even after graduation.
There are others who surpass the expectations of their positions as well. While some folks may believe that advanced placement classes are filled with geniuses, most of us are average Joes and are only able to take on the challenge with help of our caring teachers. They open their doors outside of school hours to lend a hand in grasping difficult concepts.
Even with their hectic schedules, teachers find time to craft well thought out recommendation letters to open new doors in achieving a higher education for their students.
A number of teachers are currently working on recommendation forms for the Dell Scholars Program. This program offers an opportunity for under-served and lower income students to realize their dream of a college education. Scholarships of $20,000 are offered to students for full-time study to complete a bachelor's degree program.
Out of the 5,000 applications the program received nationally, LHS had 11 semi-finalists chosen — seniors who represent the largest number of finalists the school has had since 2007. A good portion of why the number is higher than past years is thanks to the time and effort our teachers spent molding us into strong applicants.
"It's such an honor to be named a semi-finalist because there's still a chance in receiving the scholarship," said Jennifer Vue, an LHS senior. "My teachers have helped me greatly by working with me on my grammar and writing skills."
It's evident that past LHS teachers left an unforgettable mark on an LHS alumnus as well.
"The Jr. ROTC teachers, Col. Stein and Sgt. Miller, taught me to never give up and go for what I want, even when others try to keep me down," said Regina Pico, a 2003 LHS graduate who has achieved her dream of becoming a registered nurse and currently works at Rideout Memorial Hospital.
When teachers work at a high school, they should expect the possibility of taking on extra duties. However, there are some who only do what is needed and avoid optional work. With this in mind, I am grateful for the kind, considerate teachers we have at LHS who offer help even after the bell rings at 3 o'clock.
Jamie Yang is a senior at Lindhurst High School. Her column appears every six weeks in Education.
