Leander High School senior Katie Doil, recognizing Shelby Kenyon: "Mrs. Kenyon has greatly influenced my life by starting me off on my Interior Design career. She always gives me feedback on how to improve my work and become more professional. She has taught me to go from a casual high school student to a formal, young business woman. She has been there for me and given me excellent advice in academic, personal, and business situations. She has taken me under her wing."
Leander High School senior Lauren Presley, recognizing Robert Selaiden: "The power of our influence often gets taken for granted. A simple hug, smile or joke for someone else can lead to one selfless act, to another and another. In one day, one could spark so many of these reactions so that the world we wake up in the next day, is one more joyous and positive than the last. Mr. Selaiden is a person who realizes this influence, and chooses to make sure his students feel love, encouragement, happiness and support day after day. The result of which, is an environment where students don’t feel afraid to be wrong, aren’t afraid to fail and can give their best each day, knowing they have a such a strong leader in their corner guiding them. In this environment, I have learned to look at failure as a way to grow, how to be my best in my darkest moments, how to look at differing perspectives as a betterment to my own, how to disagree to find a better solution and most of all, learn to be someone others can rely on. My world, like many others, is forever bettered because no matter the circumstance, I can always turn to Mr. Selaiden for a hug and he will always tell me he believes in me."
Leander High School senior Gigi Ceka, recognizing Anna McNay: "When asked to describe all the amazing qualities McNay posses, it puts a smile to my face, because if there’s a bad one, I have yet to find it. McNay has a beautiful soul that I think embodies what this program is all about. She is extremely calm and speaks each word with intention, but is also filled with passion and energy that creates a positive and happy environment. However, it’s not the big, flashy things she does that means the most, it’s the little acts of kindness. McNay is the most genuine person I have ever met and is not afraid to tell me when I’m being an overly dramatic teen, or jump in and give much needed advice when I’ve made a mistake I need to learn from. Every minute of every class is filled with nothing but love and joy, creating a safe haven for her students to find complete support and guidance from one another and that is a quality not many teachers posses. I am certain that there are other great teachers here, but as far as I’m concerned, McNay has a heart of gold that exceeds all others. I feel that more often than not, the influence teachers have on their students is overlooked, so McNay, I would just like to say thank you. You have helped me through some really tough times, whether you know it or not and I appreciate everything you do for not only me, but everyone you meet. You have become a role model in my life when I felt abandoned and you have given me a second family through my peers where I finally felt what it was like to be engulfed in such love. Anna McNay, you will forever hold a special place in my heart where you helped my heal and grow and that will never be forgotten. Thank you for being you."
