Senior Editorial-Ryanne Bennett

Ryanne Bennett
May 29, 2009
Filed under Student Blogs

        When I first entered high school, I remember being worried about meeting the teachers and staff. How tough would they be? Would they care if I succeeded or failed? High school for me has been a time for growth and increased self-awareness. My tenth grade English teacher and the Communities In Schools Site Coordinator are two amazing and caring staff members who have served as stepping stones to my success.

        Ms. Prandi Abram, or Ms. P.A as many students call her, always had a warm and enthusiastic vibe. Her class was not about just being lectured for an hour. We learned life lessons, such as accepting others’ opinions and setting goals. One day I walked into class and Ms. P.A said, “I want you guys to write a letter about your family and the goals you want to accomplish by senior year.” She promised that she would keep and mail the letters to us our senior year. I completed the assignment and gave it to her, and I forgot about it. Fast forward two years to March 2009. I received my letter along with a very inspiring note from Ms. P.A. Ms. P.A left East Mecklenburg and moved to New Orleans, but she remembered us and kept her promise. Postage-42 cents. Caring enough to keep a promise-priceless.

       Ms. Kim Jones, East Meck’s Communities In Schools Site Coordinator, has been my other stepping stone to success. The two words I would use to describe her are loving and remarkable. I am constantly shocked by Ms. Jones, particularly by her ability to highlight her students’ talents. Last year, Ms. Jones encouraged me to compete in a speech contest called “Speaking Your Way into The Future.” It was my first speech contest, and I walked away with first prize: a 1500-dollar scholarship. Throughout the process Ms. Jones challenged me to reach a higher level. As Ms. Jones says, “No excuses- you can and you will!”

       Ms. Jones believes in the Five Communities In Schools Basics. She makes sure that all of her students have a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult, a safe place to learn and grow, a healthy start- a healthy future, a marketable skill to use upon graduation, and a chance to give back to peers and community.

       On June 14, I will officially be ready to become a UNC Charlotte 49er, and I am forever grateful to these individuals for equipping me with the tools for success. My message for future Eagles is that high school is a challenging, yet rewarding, process. So keep your eyes open for those key people who will be your stepping stones to success. And in turn, let us all one day become some other young person’s inspiration.