Plymouth Whitemarsh High School baseball players honor educators who hit it out of the park
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School baseball players honor educators who hit it out of the park
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School’s baseball team threw out praise to the educators who have inspired them at a Teacher Appreciation Day ceremony held before the start of their April 30th game.
This annual tradition allows senior players the chance to say “thank you” to an educator who has had an impact on their lives. Soon-to-be graduates hand over baseballs to the adults they have selected as the students’ words are read aloud for fans to hear.
This year’s students and honorees included:
- Nate Quirus/High school teacher Elias Gabel-Tripp
- AJ Landrey/High school teacher Dana Moyer
- Joey Monastero/High school teacher Mary Emma Barber
- Matt Scopinich/High school teacher Becky Duffy
- Michael Bongard/High school teacher Jill Ruggiero
- Dominic Criscuolo/Whitemarsh Elementary School teacher Bill Rathgeber
- Jackson Starace/High school Counseling Center secretary Bridget Budwell
- Spencer Rosen/High school teacher Megan Carragher
In their comments, several students noted how the adults in their school community supported them when they were struggling or uncertain.
“Mrs. Barber inspired me to keep my cool in situations that aren’t going my way,” said Joey. “She showed me that things work out and was a very good person on top of being a teacher.”
Jackson noted that he has always been able to rely on Mrs. Budwell.
“Whenever I had a question about anything, if it was freshman year figuring my way around the school, or now senior year helping me with the college process - Mrs. Budwell has always been someone who is there for me and someone in the school I can always count on,” he said.
Matt, a member of the International Baccalaureate Programme, said Mrs. Duffy has offered memorable support as he navigated high school.
"Throught my time in the IB Programme, I have better developed as a person and the lessons taught by Mrs. Duffy will forever stick with me. Mrs. Duffy is somebody I can go to if I need advice, or if I just want to share what I did over the weekend and what's going on in my life," he said.
Other students cited their teachers for being inspirational and engaging in the classroom, and for creating moments that they will cherish their whole lives.
“Mr. Rathgeber always made his classroom an enjoyable and safe space for students. He was an amazing teacher and had a lifelong impact on my learning,” said Dominic. “The excitement from his Friday golf shots will forever be a childhood memory I won’t forget.”
Nate noted that Mr. Gabel-Tripp has inspired him to work hard for the job he wants when he graduates from college.
"He has left an impression on me, because he is happy with his job, and that is what I want when I grow up," he said.
