AaliyahONeal

R.Arnold
UWRT1101
1September2014

Flashbacktotheyearof2011.Imenteringmysophomoreyearofhighschool.My
firstclassofthedaywashonorsalgebra2.EachyearIenterthebuildinghopingtofind
newhopeineducation,newinterests,andanewwayofthinking.Thatyear,Ifoundjust
that.WhenIwalkedintoroom419ofSouthCentralHighSchoolmyentirelifechanged
withoutknowing.Imetawomanwhowouldsoonbecomemymentor,mycoach,and
eventuallysomeonewhowouldbethesponsorofmypoliticalliteracy.
Mrs.LauraMorganwasmorethanjustateacher.Shefirstcameoffasapeppy,
youngandfreespiritedwomanwhodrecentlygottenmarriedandreceivedhermasters
degree.Onecouldtellshewasveryintelligentanddidnttakemuchcrap.Ourfirstdirect
encountercamewhenshemademestandupandtelltheclassmynameandwhatIwantto
getoutofthisclasseducationally.Whenitwasmyturnandsheaskedmetostatethose
twothings,Ihesitatedforasecond.Afterstatingmyname,Ididntquiteknowwhatexactly
itwasthatIwantedtogetoutofatenthgradehistorycourse.Ididntknowwhatcivicswas
andIwasntreallyinterestedineconomics.MyanswertoherquestionwasIplantoleave
thisclasswithanAaverage,andtoknowmoreindepthaboutthesetopicsthanIknow
now.Icouldtellshewasimpressedbecauseshemadeafaceasifshewaswithher
bottomlipslightlypokedout,aslightsmile,andaheadtilt.AsIwassittingdown,thedoor
opened,andinwalkedthewomanwhowouldsoonbemyfavoriteteacher,Mrs.Victoria
Bridgers.