A most influential mentor

(Editor’s note: Melaina Goodman is the last of three finalists who took part in the Valley Press Reporters Contest. Each finalist was awarded $50 sponsored by Jay Knopp Pro Rodeo Announcing & Auctioneering USA as well as a calendar donated by No Holds Barred Australia.)

By Melaina Goodman

Thompson Falls High School

There were a lot of choices presented when I first looked at this essay competition, yet there was only one that truly stuck out to me. What Staff member in Thompson Falls High School is most influential to you? Though there are many wonderful staff members to choose from, but there was only one stand out that was most influential to me, Doree Thilmony.

Mrs. Thilmony spends ample amounts of time on every student she comes into contact with. She isn’t just a teacher, a basketball coach, and technology repairwoman; she’s also a life coach, and motivation to me.

She looks at life with a ten-ninety mind. Life is ten percent of what happens to you and the other ninety percent is how you react to it. This is what she showed me as a life motto to live by.

Now, let me explain a more in detail of what this rule and many other things she has taught me cemented Mrs. Thilmony as my choice.

As we all know the way we react to things she in life can be either a negative or a positive. If we perceive anything like school, home life and our relationships negatively; then we will not live a happy life.

Yet, if we accept things for what they are and have a positive outlook on them (even the bad) then everything is much easier.

Mrs. Thilmony has always taught me that self-love is so important in life as well. Before you can truly be happy, you must accept yourself for all your fault and imperfections.

Allow me to tie this together a little better for you, let’s say you’re better in English then you are in Maths; what choice do you make? You should be an optimist and say well; maybe with some extra studying and tutoring I can do better and accept it. Or be that pessimist and continue to struggle making the same mistakes over again and not change anything for the better.

Mrs. Thilmony showed me through sports, school and home life that it is okay to struggle, it is ok to ask for help.

Mrs. Thilmony has helped me so much with my schooling as well as many other things. My freshman and sophomore years I was very much struggling in her science classes whether I’d be confused on the material or had fallen behind on the work, she was there to support me.

She would allow me to come in when it wasn’t busy and study one on one for a test or just help me with homework.

If I were behind in class she would seem to understand and let me make it up in a reasonable amount of time.

Mrs. Thilmony has never turned away a struggling student who asks for help in any aspect. She gives up her family time and free time to teach us, the students of Thompson Falls High School to see us succeed and excel.

Yes, she may have her faults, just like any other human being in this world but she has always been someone I strongly look up to. Though she seems to always be aiming to teach us that the important things in life are now what you get out of it, but what you put into it.

I am genuinely thankful this is in our school district, teaching us all the importance of being a better person for you for the future.