Students Build Relationships and Bid Farewell to Beloved Teachers

Anna Kutz, Life Editor

In times as turbulent as the high school years—an era where the only guarantees are sleepless nights, acne and embarrassment—it’s necessary to have a great support system.

And sometimes these systems boast teachers that go above and beyond, acting as another parent and forming bonds that extend past the typical school day.

For French students, this connection has been evident for years, throughout every event such as crepe making and movie days with Mrs. Schwarz and Mrs. Symanski.

“I have loved getting to work with them in French club and French Honor Society,” said senior and French IV student Morgan Swanner. “They both are kind hearted, want what’s best for their students and never fail to make their students laugh.”

This year’s French IV class felt it more than ever—Schwarz and Symanski planned a senior lunch outside of school and gifted each student with candy and a farewell message.

“You’d think having dinner with your French teachers would be weird, but Symanski and Schwarz are so funny and definitely make good company,” Swanner said. “There was never a dull moment: people laughed, dropped cake, spilled soda and almost choked.”

But Swanner isn’t alone—senior Ryan Shrustrin and Calculus teacher Mrs. Easley have a unique relationship.

“She’s (Easley) one of the only teachers I have ever met that cares about every single student she has,” Shrustrin said. “I’ve been with her for four years because of math team and I’ve gotten very close with her. She will always bring a positive attitude to class and she always seems to make other people feel very welcome.”

Between assisting the Demis Lovatos in their talent show conquest, buying pizzas and molding minds, there’s a lot to bond over, and bond they do.

In fact, Shrustrin prides himself on the 266 day streak with Easley on Snapchat, explaining that making sure to communicate “keep(s) our relationship strong.”

Though they don’t share their snapsterpieces with each other, senior Lexie Freese and Ms. Lane have a similar bond as president and sponsor of Film Society, respectively.

“ . . . She’s like a really cool boss who I can relate to. Or like a nice, advice giving aunt who I look up to,” Freese said. “We emailed frequently over the summer of 2017 about what we were doing and how to, somewhat, plan for next year’s movies.”

With monthly meetings and class every day, the relationship between Freese and Lane blossomed easily, especially since the latter inspires her so much.

According to Freese, she’s one of the teachers that has shaped her high school career and helped her to realize her dream of being a teacher in the future.

No matter the relationship, activities or history, the bond between student and teacher is evidently special to EHS students.

As senior year comes to a close and their bonds are stretched thinner with the prospect of college, one sentiment is shared by all: it’s going to be tough to say goodbye.

“Symanski and Schwarz fit right in with all of us seniors,” Swanner said. “It will be hard leaving them when we all go off to college.”