My imaginative and random personality was always a burden in school. Instead of listening to the teachers ramble on about the Civil War and taming the west, my mind was in a far off world where I explored the endless bounds where science and creativity combine. I pranced with monsters on Mars and swam with whales in the sea. But my teachers considered me a lost cause and focused on someone with their nose in a book and their eyes on the board.

It became routine for me to walk into the doors of my middle school and trail off into my world of infinity…until seventh grade science. Mr. Rheinick was exactly the same as me. He had energy and ideas and ADD. He would tell us about how the world was made and what is beyond the stars. But instead of lecturing, he would make us figure things out on our own. I remember one time I asked him what was inside of a black hole. His response was “let’s find out together!” Surfing the internet and watching videos, we explored the world of space together. My imagination was nurtured and my attention stayed right on track.
If being a great teacher inside of class wasn’t enough, Mr. and Mrs. Rheinick organized a trip every year for students to go down to Florida and learn about the ocean and coral reefs. We would fly down and snorkel for 7 days. The bright and extravagant ocean will forever be engraved into my mind. But the trip wasn’t just about the experience of exploring the reefs. It also had great educational value. Every night, after we were done out in the ocean, we would have a class about the fish we saw and the environments we were in. I still remember my favorite fish is the French angel fish. It is black with gold spots on its side. It’s named a French angel fish because at night its sides look like the lights of Paris. I was lucky enough to be invited along on this majestic trip twice.

But Mr. Rheinick wasn’t just a teacher to me, he was also a mentor. During my study halls, I would go to his room and talk. He would give me advice on my life and even helped me choose my possibilities for a career. He would frequently tell me about the mistakes he made, and challenges I will face. He would encourage optimism and determination. His advice has helped keep me on the right track.

Mr. Rheinick was a teacher, a mentor, and a friend. He was energetic, and knowledgeable. He encouraged kids to reach for their full potential and to not be afraid to explore the unknown. Mr. Rheinick deserves this award because when other teachers saw as lost cause, he saw me as a diamond in the rough.