-----------VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE TEACHER RESULTS --------------------

From the class of 1980, Gary Wanser writes, "...One of my favorite teachers was Barbara Birmingham. 1 know I don't have to go into too much detail about the wonders of being a student in one of Barbara's classes. And I know I don't have to go into too much detail about the wonders of being in one of the musicals she directed. Barbara Birmingham inspired me in many, many ways. She was thoughtful and caring and really understood how to teach a dreamer like me. I still have the notes I took in her Humanities class in 1980. I can't part with them. Barbara was a blessing to the school.

From the class of 1976, Laura Dugan writes, "...I had several teachers at St. Mary's whom I liked: Mr. Holley, Sister Francha, and Ruth McCarville, but the one whom I liked the best was Ms. Barbara Birmingham. I chose to write a paper on Michelangelo for one of her classes. She loaned me books from her collection. When I found the picture of the Pieta, I sat hunched over the book in the library. I cried because it was so beautiful that I couldn't stand it. I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Miss Birmingham. She smiled at me and said, "Maybe one day you will travel and get to see it. I hope that you travel a lot and always keep learning, writing, and reading. I think you have much to share with the world. You are a very interesting person." When a teacher believes in you, especially as a vulnerable high school student with a big cauldron of bubbling confusing emotions, it makes a huge impression. So, thank you, Miss B., for making a girl from a small town feel like she wanted to get into the big world and see it all for herself.

Thank you to everyone who responded to our request for Favorite ST. MARY'S TEACHER. If you have a favorite, please send your thoughts to me at: cj1971@inebraska.com, or send it to St. Patrick's Parish Center, 301 E. Adams, 0 Neill, NE 68763.