Dear Mentor,

Before I came to your class, I was stagnant. I was stagnant as a performer and as a student. I was content with doing the best I could with what was given to me and not looking for the opportunities to get ahead. I found a comfort zone in how to pursue my life and everything was running smoothly. I had already had enough stress from moving to a new high school my senior year and having to figure out life that way. I was perfectly content with how easy my senior year was going to be.

Then I pushed my way into your Advanced Theatre class and was cast as the comedic relief in the fall play, "The Best Man." Comedy was my strong suit. Comedic relief was the only character I had portrayed because no one else could see me as anything but the stereotypical big, funny girl. And you saw me for something else.

You pushed me to the limits in my acting abilities, and you gave me extra responsibilities to help me mature, such as being in charge of props and helping the younger theatre people with their lines and acting tactics.

You made me realize all of my potential.

You challenged me to dig deeper, especially during our competition play, "The Lost Boy." Maureen was such a distraught and serious character, it made me have to evaluate her feelings and how I would feel in her place. The closeness we all felt together during that play is where I got the inspiration for my first tattoo: "two stars to the right and on 'till morning."

Every time I look down at my arm I remember the family you built for me and how I knew I was meant to become a teacher like you for other students like me.

You are my inspiration to push others towards their full potential, towards the road that they are best suited for.

You encouraged me to become a better me and I would not be the woman I am today on the path that I'm on without your encouragement and at times, tough love.

Thank you for taking the time out of your already busy life to care enough about your students, specifically me, to alter my life. To love me like a caring mother and mentor me as no one else had before.

Thank you, Mrs. Vici Anderson, for being what I needed in my life when I thought I was happy. Every student deserves a teacher or mentor such as yourself.

Thank you. I think about your encouragement every time I dread going to my college classes and remember why this will all be worth it.