Great Teachers
Making a Difference
2009 Winner Bios
Rachel Reynolds nominated teacher, Mr. William Hetrick
Saegertown High School
Rachel Reynolds is a senior at Saegertown Jr.-Sr. High School and a member of Mr. Hetrick's Advanced Placement English class. She is an avid reader and a passionate writer. She loves books, music, cappuccinos, and the Pacific Ocean. Rachel will be attending college at the University of Redlands in Redlands, California as a member of the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies. Here she will study Creative Writing, Latin, and Linquistics in hopes of becoming a writer.
Veronica Smith nominated teacher, Mr. Matthew Lane
Fairview High School
Veronica Smith lives in Fairview with her parents, sister, and several overweight cats. She will be attending Ithaca College in the fall where she hopes to eventually decide on a major and bring back weekly cliffhanger radio shows. She spends her free time thinking too much and coming up with interesting themes for costume parties. She aspires to one day become an ecentric English professor who makes frequent appearances on the Colbert Report.
Griffin McLean Mahan nominated teacher, Mr. Kirk Rhodes
The Gow School
Griffin McLean Mahan is a senior at The Gow School. He is from Virginia Beach, Va. and is 19 years old. Griffin will be attending Marshall University next year and is planning to major in criminal justice. At The Gow School, he played squash and tennis and was involved in theater productions. He loves the beach and works at a miniature golf course in the summers. At home, he lives with his father, mother and older sister and three poodles.