The person I am most grateful for is my high school teacher, Ms. Virginia Panttaja.

I went into high school with no self-esteem whatsoever. This may be true for a lot of freshman, but, if there was a meter for self-esteem, I would not have even registered on the scale.

Ms. Pantaja was my Personal Development teacher my freshman year. This was a class that was being offered for the first time, and most people who took it were looking for an easy A. I'm not sure why I chose to take it from all the courses I could have taken.

On the first day of class, Ms. Panttaja took me under her wing. She could see how unmotivated I was. She began to encouraged me and, in doing so, helped me to develop a belief in myself. She knew that my father was an alcoholic and she realized how important it was for me to let go of my hurt. She shared with me a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: No one can hurt you without your consent".

I began to believe that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to and my positive attitude continued to grow through out my high school career. I joined the NJROTC and at the end of my junior year was asked by Captain John Nick Nicholson, my commanding officer, to be the Commander of the NJROTC unit for my senior year. This is the highest rank a student could receive. I would not have been able to accomplish this without the belief I had in myself, and I give all the credit to Ms. Panttaja. She was proud of me when I was selected to be the next Commander.

Because of Ms. Panttaja I was able to radically change the course of my life. Even now, when I am going through hard times, I look back and recall how much Ms. Panttaja believed in me and how proud she was of me. Now, it is my turn to teach others to believe in themselves and to show them that they can change the course of their lives. I am an example of that and so is my father, who is now a recovering alcoholic. Today, my father and I have the best relationship a son and father could have. Again, I give credit to Ms. Panttaja and the principals I learn from her.

What Ms. Pantaja did for me, she did for the hundreds of other youth people. I hope she realizes what an impact she has made in the world. I am so grateful to have had such an incredible teacher. The principals she taught me and the positive attitude she helped me cultivate has helped me to accomplish a lifes dream, to be an author. I still have the graduation card she gave me. On the card, as always, she express her belief in me. As a post script she wrote, Remember you can do and be anything you want."