In high school, I was definitely reserved; ok, more shy and socially awkward than the social introvert I am today. I was a newbie, as most of my fellow classmates knew each other since elementary or at least middle school and here I came into their realm in Grade 8, where I really didn’t make many friends. By the time I began my freshman year of high school, I was already working part-time at the local YMCA after-school and really didn't get involved in extra-curricular activities that took place after-school.
Over the first few months, I made friends with a few classmates who I sat with at lunch. A few were much like me and a couple were less socially awkward but by all means did not fit in the popular and cool kids cliche. Out of this small niche, I am still touch with two of them. I consider one of them my closest friends, almost like a brother, though he no longer lives in South Florida. The other is a very close friend, though we don't talk as often, we pick up conversation as we didn't skip a beat. She, too, no longer lives in South Florida.
I don't recall who recruited me to be part of the class cabinet, a leadership club much like student council but on a grade level. They said its were all the popular and cool kids hung out and I can begin to make more friends. Even a few teachers steered me towards getting involved with the class cabinet or other extra-curricular activities to meet others. Although my involvement was limited to activities held during the school day or weekends due to my job responsibilities. I joined the class cabinet and it was here I was introduced to Mrs. Sandra Carrion. I was offered opportunities to participate and support the efforts of the class cabinet in ways I could with my limited time availability.
I never had Mrs Carrion as a Spanish teacher and only got to know her only as the class cabinet faculty sponsor. As I recall, It was not until my junior year of Spanish, my teacher required her class to visit other “countries” (aka the other Spanish teachers) and have our “passports” stamped by having conversations in Spanish as part of a class grade requirements. I can barely handle speaking my native tongue of Hungarian let alone grasp Spanish. This is when I got to know Mrs. Carrion on a more one-to-one level through our "passport" conversations . With her patience, prompting and perseverance, I passed my Spanish class as she made me want to do nothing but my best and ultimately I became more engaged in the class cabinet.
Cheers to you Mrs. Carrion, for the incredible human being touching not just my life but many of my friends and generations of others. Your sincere love for teaching and the students in a friendly yet no-nonsense approach left little room for any inappropriate behavior issues to arise.
It is with my honor, I present to my acrostic poem sharing my story of the difference she made in me. With love from one of your forever grateful students, from the great class of 1988, South Broward High School!
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Speaking Spanish was not my thing, nor had you as a teacher,
But I was part of the graduating class of eighty-eight,
Here I had the pleasure to get to know you and then you, me.
Seems like it was only yesterday when all of this happened,
Being in class cabinet, your impact left a streak in me,
Until recently, I never even gave it second thoughts.
Looking back on my legacy filled career, it all made sense,
Leadership, public speaking, teamwork, fundraising skills and more,
Developed many of the skills I needed for my career.
Our friendship of teacher and student grew over the years,
God blessed me with only the best to join me in my journey.
Since I still lived in the area, I tried to keep in touch.
Stopped by when I could, catching you up with my life’s happenings,
Even though visits were infrequent, brief and not quite enough.
Never felt anything less than welcomed, like close family.
Over the years, on campus visits became more difficult,
Reminiscing my high school days is all I thought I had left,
As offsite get togethers were difficult to coordinate.
Some of my darkest days, you helped me find my light once again,
Always available to lend me your compassionate ear,
Not knowing how much that meant, I can’t thank you enough today.
Dreading the days, I came to get my class “passport” stamped by you,
Rarely, I was able to carry a full conversation,
Albeit, patiently you helped me through those dreaded minutes.
Cheerfully, you greeted us with your warm welcoming smile,
Allowing us to come as we were and helped us find ourselves,
Reaching out, by offering a helping hand or a lifeline.
Real teachers knew it’s not always of classroom lessons learned,
Instead, it’s the knowledge gained to become better citizens,
Only those lives you touched know the difference you created.
Not knowing, when you answered the calling you heard long ago,
Those impacted yesterday, still speak fondly of you today.
You helped make my high school days not just easier but better.
Cherished memories of those days still bring smiles years later,
Once I realized you held a key piece of my life’s puzzle,
I had to express my gratitude and appreciation.
Perhaps the debt of gratitude I owe was paid back in full,
Besides passing on the calling to the next generation,
But remaining grateful for you being part of my journey.
