99999 The beginning of a new school year causes memories from yesteryear to come to mind. It was a simpler time in life, but the influence from that time continues.

99999 When I was a senior in high school, we had a new teacher. Her name was Mrs. Brown. I had her for two classes, English and Speech. She brought a genuine sense of optimism, caring, and challenge to her classes. Unlike the previous English teachers I had in high school, she made us write. I recall one of the first writing assignments. When the bell rung to mark the end of class, I had not finished the assignment. Assuming that she would allow me to turn it in the next day, I was shocked when she insisted I finish it before the end of the day. During the last period of that day, I returned to her classroom and finished the assignment.

99999 As I recall my Senior year of high school, I always remember that Mrs. Brown believed in her students. Constantly she encouraged us to do our best. Toward the end of the school year, one afternoon Mrs. Brown assured me that I would do well in college. I never forgot her words, and in years to come the memory of those words continued to give me strength.

99999 Twenty years after graduating from high school, I felt the urge to call Mrs. Brown and express my thanks for how she had made a difference in my life. I had not seen her during these years, and I wondered if she would remember me. Immediately after getting her on the phone, she assured me that she remembered me. We talked about my Senior year, recalling many cherished memories. She even remembered things involving my Senior year that I had forgotten. We also talked about what had happened in our lives during the intervening years.

99999 About a month after our phone call, I received a nice Christmas card from Mrs. Brown. When I read the last sentence of what she wrote, I knew I had arrived! She told me that I was old enough to call her by her first name, Joanie.

99999 Thanks Joanie, for being an excellent teacher and now for being a friend.

99999 As the new school year will soon begin, let us with optimism encourage our young people to do their best. The difference between success and failure of our young people is often found in the attitudes we reflect to them. We extend our very best to every student, teacher, and parent for a successful school year.

99999999999999999999999999 Bruce Ligon

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