Many of you may remember Mrs. Clarice Rhodes, the dean of students. She was the short African-American lady who was always very serious, and strict.
I recall one day while sitting in Ms. Moniz's 11th Grade English class, the phone rang. It was Mrs. Rhodes office requesting that I come. Of course, if Mrs. Rhodes calls for you, you kind of have to go. Swallowing deeply, and with a huge sigh, I leave the perch at my desk, all eyes on me exiting the silent room.
"Oh, Lord, what did I do...or not do?" I prayed. Mrs. Rhodes was not joke. If you were not on her good side, watch out. Life was miserable.
I just so happened to be on her good side, but I still walked cautiously.
It turns out that she just wanted to talk. We sat and chatted for about 20 to 30 minutes about everything from family, to goals, to friends, and she left me with some advice. She told to me that she was proud of me, and to make something of myself. I know that this isn't one of those crazy high school prank stories, but it really happened. Mrs. Rhodes turned out to be pretty cool. Maybe a little disconnected with the times, as many of us are with the youth of today, but she was actually a nice lady. |
