Page 21 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 4-27-2016

�Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter • Academic Excellence 2016 • Page 3 �

Senior Justin Sholly & Mentor Jason Sholly Senior Jada Bishop & Mentor Rich Peters

Many people would be ideals I have kept with me ever since. I want to ac- busy work or memorizing random facts that
have siblings. A Towards the end of his teaching, it was time to knowledge and honor escaped my brain shortly after the test.
sibling is someone ride on the road with his help. As I sat on the the many amazing One of the many lessons I learned from EXCEL
who you are related bike, I felt my heart pounding. I was afraid of teachers that I’ve had was the necessity and advantage of learning
to through blood. the road ahead, but somehow Jason made me at Clear Lake schools, from failure, such as the time the solar car I had
To me, a brother want to conquer it. As but Mr. Rich Peters is helped construct simply drove in circles.
exceeds that idea. I was pedaling, in one the one who inspired You saw potential in us and embraced the
A brother is a unprepared motion, he me to, what I hope is, class’ quirkiness. I looked forward to every class.
soldier of life; a let me go. a life-long passion for I know at times it was a challenge keeping us
soldier that steadily It was a satisfying learning by doing.
marches through discomfort that left me I still remember on task, but with a
success and fail- in control while know- the lesson on New- sideways glance, we
ure by your side ing that he was right ton’s Laws from rac- knew we had had
without hesitation. behind me, supporting ing cars on different surfaces, at various distanc- gone off the rails.
It’s an inseparable me the entire way. Jason es from the wall at Lincoln Elementary in the Your instinct and
bond forged of love and friendship. has given me this guid- 2nd grade and building a bridge out of nothing initiative stretched
Jason is a man of character and compassion. ance throughout my life but Popsicle sticks and glue in order to test how our imaginations,
He has an aura radiating off of him that seems while engraving the core much weight the structure could hold before and we did some
to draw everyone in. My brother has always values of hard work and self-motivation. breaking. You facilitated learning in a manner amazing things.
seemed to understand life a little more, being Soon, my brother will have to let me go that made each moment feel worthwhile, every I can’t attend the
that he’s very wise for his age. again as I leave for college in Boston, Massachu- class an adventure of our own choosing. Plus, banquet to express
My first memory with Jason was when he setts. We have a brotherhood that’s indestruc- it always seemed like you were really, intently my thanks in person
taught me how to ride a bike. Jason encour- tible. Even with this upcoming barrier of dis- interested in our hypotheses. I wonder now how because my desire
aged me throughout the entire process. Despite tance, I know that he will always be there for me you were able to keep a straight face! for immersive learning inspired me to spend
myself thinking it was impossible, he kept me because that’s the man Jason is. He’s a man of During the independent study unit you al- my senior year studying abroad in France. The
positive anyways, instilling in me the ideals of many things: my mentor in life, my best friend, lowed us to take a deeper dive in to topics that curriculum is aligned with school trips to study
never giving up, and that I can do anything by and the man I admire. It’s because of these traits interested us. Class never felt like it was just history, the architectural monuments, museums
working hard. Little did he know that these that I will always call Jason my brother. and galleries. The quest continues...

Senior Spencer Orr & Mentor Nick DiMarco

Mr. DiMarco is one of the many people who have helped Mr. DiMarco is devoted to his students in and out of the
me grow into the person I am today. I walked into his science class classroom, and his athletes on and off the field. He even has been a
on the first day of school in seventh grade, and I will see him on part of every single music and theater production I have been in by
the day I graduate from high school. He has played many differ- cheering me on and helping from the sound booth. Mr. DiMarco
ent roles throughout my life. Mr. DiMarco, first and foremost, is also has never forgotten an event I’ve been in outside of school. He
an outstanding teacher who is one of everyone’s favorites. He kept was always the first to wish me good luck and the first to ask how it
classes fun and interesting, while providing a positive environment went.
for learning.
Lastly, Mr. DiMarco is an adult who can be one of your
Mr. DiMarco is also an outstanding coach. He has trans- friends. He is an amazing role model who helped guide the cross
formed me into the athlete and competitor that I am through four country team and myself through one of the most difficult times
cross country seasons and one soccer season. I have never had a of my high school career. I didn’t know how to remain strong and
coach before who connected with me in the way he has in terms of act like a positive role model when Daniel passed away, and Mr.
motivation. His soft-spoken and empowering pre-race speeches are DiMarco was there for us. He gives his all for everyone and asks for
just one of the many things I admire most about him. nothing in return.

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