10th grade English class at Arrowhead High School. I had Mrs. Elmergreen. Her smiling face gave me a warm welcome as I walked into class each day. Even on the worst of days, she still wore her million-dollar smile that brightened up my day. A ray of hope when I was feeling hopeless—that’s who Mrs. Elmergreen is.

Short hair, forensics coach—upbeat and outgoing. A mother to all her students—welcoming eyes and an open-heart. Always there when you need a friend—an angel in disguise, hiding in plain sight. No matter what was wrong I could always go to her—a younger adult with wisdom beyond her age and time.

Mrs. Elmergreen is my friend. I consider her family and that is why I believe she should be nominated for this award. She was never quick to judge, and she listened to my sorrows. When I thought my family was falling apart again, there she was, ready to save the day.

I came to class, tears running down my face. I could hardly speak.

She took my hand and calmly asked me, “Kim, is everything okay?”

The concern in her voice was ever so present on her face as well.

I shook my head and she nodded. She took me in her arms, and we talked for a minute. My words were hardly audible from in between the sobs that escaped my lips. All she did was listen to my troubles and when I was done she assured me that “everything would turn out okay.”

I thought my life was falling apart. But she picked up my broken pieces; she rebuilt my life with a simple phrase that I’ve heard a million times before. A phrase that lost its meaning from overuse, but when Mrs. Elmergreen said it, I knew she was right. I was going to be okay. That it was not the end of the world. That whatever was wrong would turn out okay in the long run.

I am grateful for Mrs. Elmergreen. I am grateful that I had her in my life. I am grateful that the world has people like Mrs. Elmergreen. My 10th grade English class, taught by a ray of hope.