Manchester Valley High School junior Jenna Klaverweiden said something was missing when school let out on Friday. She had become used to seeing math teacher Devin Spence sending his students off at the start of each weekend with words of encouragement ? and a challenge.
"Have a good weekend" she recalled him saying, "and make good choices."
At a memorial service Saturday afternoon for Spence ? who died this week in a car accident on his way to the school ? teachers, students and family members recalled the choices he had made for himself.
His parents said that while he excelled in college and could have chosen many paths, Spence devoted himself to teaching; to remind those around him of their possibilities and opportunities; and to lift those who needed help, not only with math, but also with life.
"He achieved his greatest goal in life," said Marjorie Spence, his mother, "which was to make a difference in the world, especially for children."
Spence, 24, of Westminster, died Feb. 11 when his 2001 Ford Focus collided with a private school bus on Sullivan Road, between Westminster and Manchester. According to the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, Spence lost control of the vehicle while rounding a corner, most likely due to a patch of ice, and collided with the front of the bus.
No one was injured on the bus, which was transporting students to Delone Catholic High School in Pennsylvania. Spence was declared dead at the scene.
The memorial service, held at Manchester Valley High, packed the school's theater auditorium, so much so that staff set up speakers in the cafeteria so the overflow crowd could hear.
Outside, on the hillside facing Hanover Pike, new snow had been cleared from the ground to show the letters "DS" with a large heart that had been written in the grass.
"I'm not only sorry for our family," said his father, Michael Spence, as he addressed the thousands who attended the service, "I'm sorry for all of you sitting here, because I know you are all in pain, too."
Reflections on Spence recalled his passion for lacrosse, his love of math, his devotion to his adopted school and his affinity for loud and eye-catching sweaters ? a running joke that saw dozens of his mourners sporting outlandish designs in his honor.
A native of Towson, Spence and his family moved to Westminster when he was young and he graduated in 2007 from Winters Mill High School, where he won a state championship with the Falcons' lacrosse team ? on Saturday, his former coach and teacher there, Sal Picataggi, said the school was retiring Spence's No. 21 in his honor.
He attended Messiah College and graduated with a teaching degree from Towson University, then began his teaching career.
His family shared details of the "bachelor pad" Spence had set up in the family basement, and how he came home every day to share his excitement about teaching ? and boasting of his students' accomplishments.
Many also recalled Spence's devotion to a brother, Chase, a special needs sibling who fostered his family's involvement with Special Olympics, and who became well known to the Manchester Valley community.
Though Spence had only worked at Manchester Valley since August 2012, his humor, gregarious nature and positive attitude made him an instant favorite. He was fond of poker, fantasy football and the outdoors, and helped with the school's ski club and was the assistant coach of the varsity girl's lacrosse team.
Kim Pennewell, a teacher in the MVHS math department, drew laughs when she said Spence's arrival prompted something she had never heard before ? students using the words "cool" and "math teacher" in the same sentence.
She recalled Spence's energy during his job interview, and said when he left the room, "We looked at each other and said, 'How can someone so young have it so all together?' ? I could tell Devin was going to make me a better teacher."
"He helped us in so many ways," said Klaverweiden, who had Spence as an advisor. She said talking to him always gave her "something to be positive about. He was ? a selfless, caring and spirited person. He brought us together as a school, as a community and as Mavericks."
Shawn Hampt, a science teacher at the school ? who wore a bright white sweater with dark accents that elicited laughs from the crowd ? recalled faculty breakfasts at the Dutch Corner Restaurant on Manchester's main street, where Spence shared his appreciation and aspirations for his students.
Source: http://feeds.baltimoresun.com/~r/baltimoresun/news/rss2/~3/XQlU4_jl4rM/story01.htm
billy joel bent new york jets etch a sketch romney sean payton saints bounty program toulouse france
কোন মন্তব্য নেই:
একটি মন্তব্য পোস্ট করুন