On October 25th, our senior varsity football players took the field one last time at Meridian High School. In preparation for that moment, these seniors made a heartfelt gesture to honor the teachers who played pivotal roles in their high school journeys. These educators motivated, inspired, and supported them, both in the classroom and beyond. As part of this special tribute, each senior selected a teacher who made a lasting impact on their life. These teachers proudly displayed the players' home jerseys in their classrooms ahead of the game as a token of appreciation. Here are the touching sentiments shared by the seniors:
Trevor Hare Honors Mrs. Amy Bry
High school math teacher Mrs. Amy Bry was chosen by senior Trevor Hare, who shared:
"Mrs. Bry always brings joy to my day, whether through our conversations or the way she teaches. Whenever I’m in her class, I am ready to learn."
Fun fact: Mrs. Bry also taught Coach Slate calculus 18 years ago, making her a beloved figure in the Hemlock community across generations.
Landon Zastrow Honors Mrs. Jennifer Whitford
Senior Landon Zastrow expressed his gratitude for high school teacher Mrs. Jennifer Whitford:
"The reason I chose Mrs. Whitford is because of the positive impact she has had on me over my four years of high school. She's always positive, and just walking into her classroom brightens my mood. She’s passionate about teaching and makes learning enjoyable. Lastly, she always lets me take her suckers, and we’re birthday neighbors."
Chad Brown Honors Mrs. Donna Schantz
Reflecting on his first days of school, senior Chad Brown selected his kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Donna Schantz, and shared:
"Hi Mrs. Schantz, I want to thank you for paving the way for my learning career. The first day of kindergarten is nerve-wracking, but your calm and welcoming presence made it feel like home. Not only did you teach me the basics of math and reading, but you also helped me build confidence and curiosity. The early memories in your classroom will stick with me forever. Thank you for everything."
Seth Mills Honors Mrs. Tammy Grandy
Senior Seth Mills immediately thought of Mrs. Tammy Grandy when asked to choose a teacher, saying:
"Mrs. Grandy wasn’t just an average teacher—she made her classroom feel welcoming and always made sure we were all okay. Some of my favorite elementary school memories come from her third-grade class because she was such an excellent teacher. I would recommend others try to emulate her."
Tim Huston Honors Mr. Heath Marietta
Senior Tim Huston chose industrial arts teacher Mr. Heath Marietta, expressing:
"I chose Mr. Marietta because he helped me gain confidence in knowing that intelligence isn’t just about solving complex math problems or placing commas correctly. He taught me life skills, like how to survive if something breaks down. His dedication to his class goes above and beyond, and I truly appreciate all the effort he puts in."
Zach Strzynski Honors Mr. Keith Krueger
Senior Zach Strzynski selected high school math teacher Mr. Keith Krueger, sharing:
"I chose Mr. Krueger because he motivated me in a way no other teacher could. I love how he teaches—he gives the right amount of instruction and allows time to work on assignments. If I ever had questions, he was always there to help. I always knew what I was doing, thanks to his teaching style."
Dawson Doan Honors Mrs. Tiffany Green
Senior Dawson Doan reflected on his third-grade teacher, Mrs. Tiffany Green, saying:
"Mrs. Green played a key role in a turning point in my life. Third grade is where I made all of my closest friends, and many of those friendships might not have happened without her encouragement. She was always there to help when I was upset or struggling. Thank you, Mrs. Green!"
Grady Reidsma Honors Mr. Wilkowski
Senior Grady Reidsma chose Mr. Wilkowski, his former science teacher, and shared:
"Mr. Wilkowski truly sparked my interest in science and fishing. I always looked forward to learning something cool and interesting in his class. His passion for teaching and his dedication to nurturing our curiosity inspired me to do my best. I have him to thank for much of my knowledge in science."
Keygon Gilbert Honors Mr. Keith Green
Senior Keygon Gilbert expressed his gratitude for high school principal Mr. Keith Green, saying:
"Mr. Green has been there for me since my first day of high school. No matter how things were going, he was always right by my side, making sure I was okay. He always tried to make me smile on tough days. I’m so thankful for everything he’s done for me. I will miss him so much!"
This meaningful gesture from our senior football players is a testament to the deep connections between students and teachers at Hemlock. As these seniors reflect on their high school journey, they do so with appreciation for the educators who have been instrumental in their success. Thank you to all the incredible teachers who continue to inspire, support, and guide our students every day!
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