Well, finals week is finally here. I know that I have not blogged in 5-ever, but vlogging and other school work has seemed to take its toll on my time. It is still so hard for me to imagine that I only have 3 partial days of school left, and then I am going to be a junior. And as much as I am going to love the break from work, I am so sad that my 10th grade year is coming to an end. This school year has been extremely hard for me, and it feels good to say that I have made it. I have made it through think and thin, and thinner yet. This year I have experienced loss, tragedy, and hardships beyond belief. I made the biggest and bravest decision of my life to "come out of the closet", and I couldn't be prouder of myself. I have seen my best friend suffer since the day he was told that he had cancer. I have been through hell and back so to speak, and I have made it. It is hard for me to even talk about this school year without getting emotional, because it was so bittersweet. I definitely wouldn't have made it through without the small moments of joy that made me keep trying.
This leads me to the tribute part of this blog. As I have said, this year was extremely difficult, and I would like to thank the person who has helped me the most, my English teacher Mrs. Jenkins. Whether she realizes it or not, she has made a monumental impact on my life, one that words couldn't begin to describe. To start off, she has helped me through my whole coming out process. After learning about my coming out, she spent a whole period talking to me about staying strong through it, and how she would be there for me if I ever needed anyone. That brings me to tears just thinking about it, because without my mom or my sisters, I would have no one who could truly help me. It amazes me that a teacher is willing to do so much for a student, even when they have no obligation to do so. Many teachers are there for their students 42 minutes a day, and then they are done. Mrs. Jenkins goes above and beyond anything that she is required to do, just out of the passion she has for her students. In fact, she has been a tutor for my friend Cory as he has been battling his cancer. She is the reason that he is going to be able to graduate with our class. Mrs. Jenkins has a poster in her room that says, "I call my students 'my kids' because in our year together they aren't just kids on my class list, they become a part of my heart." This poster could not be any more true for her. She takes her job to a level that I have never seen any other teacher go. Her lessons throughout the year are not just for an English class, but they are lessons that can be applied in the real world, and can make us all better people. She has made a tribute video for our class, and gave an uplifting speech based off the poem "The Lost Generation". I honestly had the hardest time trying to hold back the tears. She is literally one of the greatest teachers I have ever had, and it is hard to picture English class without her. Mrs Jenkins, You have touched my heart and changed my life in a way that you may never know. And I am honored to say that you were my teacher, and I can't wait to have you again as a senior, at my request. I have had the greatest year with you, and it is hard for me to believe that it is over.
