Graduation is approaching quickly, and seniors are starting to say final farewells to their favorite underclassman. However underclassmen aren’t the only ones our seniors will be missing, the teachers that have created a huge impact on helping us [seniors] grow as people will be saying goodbye too. This week I had the pleasure of interviewing teachers that have been able to create stronger bonds with their students because they’ve taught students for longer periods of time. 

Rachel Wilson, Commercial Photography Teacher

Q: What are you going to miss the most about the class of 2022?

A: “I’m going to miss the individual students [2022] and their personalities as a class”

Q: How has the class of 2022 pushed or inspired you to grow as a teacher?

A: “The class of 2022 has had a very non-traditional high school experience. Sophomore year was cut short by the pandemic and going into quarantine. Then junior year was virtual. The inspiration would come from students who are still persevering & working hard, all while staying positive. They [class of 2022] are staying involved in their classes and school community, despite challenges faced sophomore year. 

Q: What advice do you have for students post-high school?

A: “My advice would be to definitely figure out what will bring you happiness in terms of a career. For example, get out of bed everyday feeling excited and motivated to go about your day. Live your true self and live your passions. Don’t let anyone stand in the way. Whether it’s pressure from family or society to do one thing or another, you have one life to live and you need to squeeze all of the goodness out of it whenever you can.

Q: What was your favorite thing from when you were a senior in high school?

A: “The memories I created with friends. I only went to school for a couple classes of the day when I was a senior, so I wasn’t really in the building very much. Hanging out with friends and going to school events. I even went on spring break with a group of friends! I remember the weekend of graduation we all went to each other’s graduation parties. Building those memories before my friends and I went on our own paths.”

Q: What do you think is necessary for students who are planning on moving out to have in their new home?

A: Some advice that I wish my parents would have been better about giving me is financial advice. If you can, start saving as early as possible. Whether you’re going to college or not, if you’re working a part time job and even if you just earn $20 a month, start saving those small chunks of money and investing. I saw an interesting Facebook post that said if you put a little over $2000 in an infant’s account, like a mutual fund or something else that grows money; then by the time they’re an adult they will have millions of dollars. Definitely learn about compounding interest, and just try to start investing and saving money so if you have college loans or are planning on buying a house because it’s expensive.

Q: Do you have any other advice for the class of 2022?

A: “Use your talents to see what positive changes you can make in our world!”

Jenn Horne, English and Public Speaking Teacher

Q: What are you going to miss the most about the class of 2022?

A: “Three main things I love about this class:

1. This class is hilarious, it has so many funny, funny people.
2. This class has curious, kind people, which are my favorite type of people. I have this sign on my wall that says “be kind. For everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” People from your class have written me notes that say the quote is their thing now! You guys are so kind and curious!
3. I love how connected this class is. You guys are all friends with each other! Yeah, there are cliques of people who hang out more, but you guys mix it up too. I think that’s pretty remarkable and amazing!”

Q: How has the class of 2022 pushed or inspired you to grow as a teacher?

A: “Again, back to being curious, [the] kids that I’ve taught in this class have always been curious. I like to open things up, like giving kids choice reading; I’ve gotten so many suggestions from this class of books that I should read. The different things you’re into, jobs you have, stories you have from your life. You guys give me hope for the future because you are curious cats, looking all kinds of ways. From those of you who are engineers; doing weird things with rascal scooters, to those involved with Habitat for Humanity, to those who have regular jobs. You guys are just out there living and it makes me happy to know you, and to know that as a teacher, I’m teaching people who are on top of their game.”  

Q: What advice do you have for students post-high school?

A: “Live your life like it’s a series of adventures! When you die, it doesn’t matter what kind of stuff you have, it’s about what you do. Also, don’t be scared! I mean, of course you’ll be scared, everyone gets scared, but if something doesn’t work out there will always be something else. Just live your life and keep on being curious.”

Q: What was your favorite thing from when you were a senior in high school?

A: “I had a large group of friends and two of my best friends were identical twins and they lived on a farm. They had this huge bronco that we just piled people into. I don’t know how many people we squeezed into that thing. Some of my favorite memories are just tooling around on the weekends in a Bronco full of people.”

Q: What do you think is necessary for students who are planning on moving out to have in their new home?

A: “I had a lot of ideas when I saw this question…. Wipes. I swear to you, you’re going to be lazy and tired sometimes, but you’re not going to feel like living in a pigsty. Those wipes you just do a quick scan in your bathroom, kitchen, counters, and BAM, you’re happy. BUY WIPES!”

Q: Do you have any other advice for the class of 2022?

A: “Have fun, find fun people, and keep in touch with your Charlottesville High School friends. My daughter who just graduated from college is still living with one of her CHS friends, like they’re all still tight. Just stay tight with your CHS people, because they’re cool people.”

Andy Josselyn “Mr. J”, English 11 Honors & Knight Time Review Class

Q: What are you going to miss the most about the class of 2022?

A: “Oh gosh… I think it’s crazy that we went through so much together. The kids that are coming behind you were also impacted by the pandemic, we all were. The heart of your high school experience was interrupted by the pandemic. So I will miss your resilience and the fact that you were able to deal with all of that, take it with a stride, and turn out so great in spite of it.”

Q: How has the class of 2022 pushed or inspired you to grow as a teacher?

A: “This is the class that was at the heart of my online teaching experience, you know because I had most of these guys as 11th graders last year. They taught me how to maintain a community connection in a really weird setting.”
Q: What advice do you have for students post-high school?

A: “Have fun. I want you to take that seriously because real fun takes work. It doesn’t just happen, it doesn’t just spontaneously combust. You have the right to pursue happiness, and I take happiness to be fun. You have to pursue it, if you don’t pursue it, it won’t come to you.”

Q: What was your favorite thing from when you were a senior in high school?

A: “I miss that feeling of having the world by the tail. When you’re a senior you’re ready to graduate. You have all of that to look forward to, the world is ahead of you; you’ve accomplished so much. That feeling, that you’re probably feeling right now as a senior in your spring semester, you know? [I miss] that.”

Q: What do you think is necessary for students who are planning on moving out to have in their new home?

A: “If you are moving out, I think you should learn some basic cooking skills right now. I don’t mean anything insane, but you should be able to cook an egg. You should be able to make some ramen fancy, you know like some good things [vegetables] you can chop up. Be able to feed yourself some basic meals. I did not do that, and I should have.”

Q: Do you have any other advice for the class of 2022?

This next question was answered with the help of senior Connor

A: “If you were going to give someone advice, probably the best advice you could give someone is that: in life you always have a choice, no matter what you think, everyone has a choice. Who you are, where you are, whatever situation, you must always accept the consequences for your actions. What you do, make sure that you always choose what you want. 

Dr. Eric Irrizary, Principal 

Q: What are you going to miss the most about the class of 2022?

A: “I think what I’ll miss the most is the personalities of the students. It’s a fun class, we’ve worked with this class through the most difficult times, doing a lot of home visits throughout Covid. Just the personalities they bring everyday to the building.”

Q: How has the class of 2022 pushed or inspired you to grow as a teacher?

A: “This class has gone through so much with Covid happening right in the middle of their high school career; has opened up our eyes to trying to think outside the box, and trying to get involved inside the community a little more, while trying to build that school to family connection.” 

Q: What advice do you have for students post-high school?

A: “You’re only young once. Whatever your dreams are and whatever your passions are, follow them! Whether it’s taking a gap year, traveling, going into a four or two year college, military, or workforce, make sure you’re doing what you want to do.”

Q: What was your favorite thing from when you were a senior in high school?

A: “Definitely sports. Also having an early release and a late arrival.”

Q: What do you think is necessary for students who are planning on moving out to have in their new home?

A: “I would say a George Foreman Grill, comfortable bed sheets, and a comfy pillow.” 

Q: Do you have any other advice for the class of 2022?

A: “For my seniors, the year isn’t over yet, so make sure you’re staying on track to graduate on June 9th.”

Laura Thomas, Orchestra Director

Q: What are you going to miss the most about the class of 2022?

A: “This is a really wonderful class. I have 20 wonderful individuals [graduating from the Orchestra] so I will miss people’s individual personalities, but as a class I think that this is a group of students who have been through the bulk of their high school career has been Covid influenced. This is a class that has endured their share of challenges for which they have proven to be very resilient. This is the class that was freshman the last time we traveled, it’s the class that has been trying to go to Lisbon for three years. I’m glad this class hung in there with orchestra, through the challenges of zoom rehearsals.”

Q: How has the class of 2022 pushed or inspired you to grow as a teacher?

A: “A lot of societal norms have shifted the past few years. Some Covid related and some are just a natural progression. With every class I teach here at Charlottesville High school, it seems that students are becoming more and more independent. In terms of independence of thought and being more aware of social justice. In that way I feel very privileged to work with this class that I believe can be leaders.” 

Q: What advice do you have for students post-high school?

A: “One of my favorite sayings is that “50% of your success in life is just from showing up, being where you’re supposed to be, and being involved.” It’s one thing to be a great musician, but if you’re a great musician that doesn’t show up for gigs, you won’t get hired. Showing up is the easy part, the other part is how good you are at your craft. I have always encouraged people to find what they love, because you don’t want to just have a job that requires multiple hours per day that you don’t enjoy. Every job will have its frustrations, but if you like the core of your work, then you’ll be a happy, satisfied person.”

Q: What was your favorite thing from when you were a senior in high school?

A: “I thought there was some great music back in 1978, some of which have survived. Those were the days of conflicting influences of disco, funk, and hard rock. I like all of that music!”

Q: What do you think is necessary for students who are planning on moving out to have in their new home?

A: “Stuff you like that makes your rooming situation feel like home. Sheets and towels that are in colors that you like. Good books and good music!”

Q: Do you have any other advice for the class of 2022?

A: “I feel confident that all of my seniors are going to be really successful in whatever they choose to do, because they are all wonderful people that work hard and are respectful. That being said, I don’t think they need any advice from me, but I will make a request. Come back and visit your old orchestra teacher [Ms. Thomas].”

This is also a very special year for Ms. Thomas, because like the seniors, she will also be graduating from CHS into retirement. After 40 years as director of the orchestra Ms. Thomas is stepping down and being replaced with daughter Emily Waters. Here’s some things Ms. Thomas had to reminisce on before she said goodbye. “CHS was my first and only teaching job.” Thomas moved to Charlottesville three months after graduating from James Madison University. Ms. Thomas won’t be gone forever though, “I plan on still being involved with the orchestra after retirement, I’ll come in some days and help out with sectionals, playing the piano, or substituting.” Ms. Thomas says that CHS has been her home for so long that it’s going to feel weird not waking up every morning to get ready to conduct students. Ms. Thomas has seen lots of changes to the school. Her orchestra room used to be in the choir room, while there wasn’t even an auditorium when she first started working here [CHS]. “In the early days, I only had around eight students and we used to do our concerts at Walker [upper elementary school].” When Ms. Thomas started teaching at Charlottesville High School, she was 22, the youngest teacher in the school. “There weren’t many people under 30, and now I’m at the other end, and there’s only a handful of people who are my age.” Ms. Thomas’ passion for music and teaching it hasn’t gone away. “What’s going to be hard for me is that I still really, really, really love what I do. I’m still going to conduct the Youth Symphony and I will be President of the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association, and I’m also a new grandmother, so I know my time will be full.” Ms. Thomas doesn’t plan to stop playing the cello, or piano anytime soon. “I actually play electric bass, I’ve been working on that, but I’m not ready to go prime time yet.” Ms. Thomas is also interested in flower gardening, and hopes to start doing it more as a hobby with her newfound free time. “I also want to visit alumni who are playing in Europe and around the United States. I’ve taught thousands of kids over the years, and a bunch of them are now successful, professional musicians.” Ms. Thomas is going to miss her colleagues, especially in the music department. Will Cooke and Jason Hackworth are just two of the many people she will miss. “The performing and visual arts department are all very close, so it will be really strange not seeing them in the morning.” Earlier this year Ms. Thomas won a very prestigious award. The American String Teachers Association presented Ms. Thomas with the Elizabeth A.H. Green award. “It’s given to one school orchestra string teacher nationwide, and I was very honored to be nominated for that, and to win it in my last year of teaching was very special.” Ms. Thomas said that although her family couldn’t make it to see her accept the award her former student Marco Sun showed up to celebrate. Charlottesville High School would like to thank Ms. Laura Thomas for all the hard work that she’s put into the last 40 years here. The impact that she’s had on thousands of students will never be forgotten, and she would like everyone to know that her last concert at CHS will be on May 18th.