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Thank-you, Mrs. Eleanor Lauritzen
Topics: school, teacher, spelling bee
Posted by Tahany Tue Feb 19, 2008 09:30:24 PST
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In the 1960s I was a student at Emerson Jr. High . My English and homeroom teacher then was Eleanor Lauritzen, a beautiful lady  of impeccable dress.  With her encouragement, and great teaching skills,  I turned out to be a very good speller.  I was encouraged by Mrs. Lauritzen to enter our school spelling bee. Being a shy kid, I hesitantly agreed, and much to my delight and her's, I came in third.

After the spelling bee I stood there dumbfounded, and proud of my little trophy. A photo was taken of  the winners and it  appeared  in The Bakersfield Californian.  When the chaos of the spelling bee was over she approached me and put her arm around my shoulder and whispered to me how proud I had made her.

That was a moment  of great importance to me then as a kid. That  little touch of kindness to me would be a memory I would never forget. I loved Mrs. Lauritzen dearly, with her passing at 94, I must say she was a wonderful person and a great teacher. She contributed to my  best memories of school, and I will never forget her.

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Comment From: lauramba

Thank you for sharing such a well written and loving story. Peace to you, lauramba