Writer’s Statement: I wrote this piece for a scholarship, and it was about a teacher who impacted me the most at my time here. Writing it made me realize that the teachers here work so hard for all the students here, and I feel as a student at Prairie Ridge we don’t always appreciate all the work they put into their day-to-day life. – Mia

I have only attended Prairie Ridge High School for two years, which is crazy for me to think about. How is it possible for me to have so many teachers that have impacted my life and taught me so many new things–not just for school but for my future?

I have one teacher that has taught me so much. She’s taught me how to tell a story through my writing, and that it’s okay to share and write down what may be affecting you because sometimes it’s the only way it will take the weight off of your shoulders. 

The first day I walked into College and Career Writing, I had a feeling I wasn’t meant to be in any kind of writing class. I thought about how I struggle with putting sentences together and just completing an essay itself. So when I heard we were going to be writing a narrative essay with no prompt I got scared. I was unsure of where I was gonna start, but Mrs. Billimack taught me that I can tell a story and not be afraid to tell it.

I’ve learned a new way of coping with some harder things in life because of her. When I wrote about my dad, I had no idea how freeing that would be. It felt like I could breathe again. She doesn’t get enough credit in this school for how dedicated she is to her students. Writing has turned into an additional outlet for me to just write down all my thoughts and feelings for the day that I don’t feel like I am capable of sharing with other people. 

She has pushed me out of my comfort zone on multiple occasions; I have learned I can trust teachers with what I write, and when I do write, I feel accomplished over the little things, because sometimes those small steps you take can turn into something bigger. 

Just think…I hated writing at the start of High School, but I’m graduating in May, leaving this school with a new profound love for it, just because of one teacher. I wouldn’t be where I am with my writing without Mrs. Billimack. Thanks to her, I can leave this school with a new perspective on anything to do with writing.