Student Tribute to Tony Odierna, Jr.
What is a hero? There are a lot of different answers to that question, but in my mind one stands out over all. To some a hero might be a sports star, or a celebrity, but if you think about it there’s one man in this school that also displays the qualities of a hero. This man I’m speaking of is Mr. Odierna. I’m sure we all know that Mr. O. inspires many acts of community service, but today I’m here to talk about something different. To me, when I think of Mr. O. one word explains it all, a star. A star twinkles in the night sky; it’s unique in its own way, even though it might not stand out in a crowd. Someone, like Mr. O., is a star. He has so much drive and inspiration and shines with every word he says. He is unique in a sense that he can always put a smile on your face. If you’re struggling with heavy boxes, Mr. O. would take them all for you. If you are walking down the hall, not only does he say hello but he has this quality about him that can brighten up even the cloudiest of days. Mr. O. might not stand out in a crowd, but like a star he will never be dull and he will always stand strong. There are no two stars the same, and there is no one that can even compare to Mr. O. When I think of Mr. O. I know he’s my hero. He is the absolute strongest, and most dedicated teacher I know. It’s safe to say that the Jade team won’t be the same without him. Not only are we losing an incredible teacher, but we are losing the brightest star in the sky, the one that makes the whole night sky that much brighter. But as we move on we must remember what we’ve gained. We know now that it is possible for us to inspire millions. With that extra push we can accomplish our goals. But the best thing that any of us have gained is a friend, a friend that we can look up to as an inspirer, a teacher, a hero, a star. So by Mr. O. retiring, yes it is very sad, but you can see him any time you want; just look up into the night sky and find the brightest star, because Mr. O. stands out. When you look at that star, smile, and say, that’s Mr. O.