"Officer Hale"

Every year hundreds of students pass through my classroom. Some come and go, names unfortunately forgotten but others I remember forever, they make an impact. The student officers are always part of the latter. The year Chelsea served as a senior class officer was an interesting year. Part of that great group was the 2 Em's the 2 Whit's and Chels - they kind of came as a unit. It took a bit to get to know them as individuals but I'm glad I did!

Class that year was 1st period and held in the foods room. It didn't take long for some to figure it was a great opportunity to make breakfast! Chelsea was the one that prodded the others into cleaning up with a gentle word or a good natured tease. If it wasn't done to her standards she'd grab a cloth and wipe down the counters herself usually smiling and humming.

Being an officer is hard work. It requires huge amounts of time, physical labor, political correctness, psychology and patience. It is physically and emotionally draining and can put a strain on even the best of friendships. Chelsea's year was no different, in fact it's safe to say that year had more than it's fair share of internal drama on top of it all. When things were hard Chelsea was fun, when things seemed dark she was light, when things got dramatic she was the show tune! She always make the work feel like play. She also had the best giggle!

Thanks to the Hale's for sharing their amazing children with me and to Chelsea for teaching me some valuable life lessons.

Wendy Curtis