I have nothing

but my music, violin, and nerves.

Orchestra:

My favorite class,

My home away from home,

My de-stresser and relaxer,

My family of friends and care.

But that doesn’t matter now.

Only the audition room

Looming ahead,

The doorway intimidating and menacing,

This will determine my future,

Only one chance, my goal for the top orchestra,

But a kind face peers back at me.

"I'm going to remember this one--she's something special."

Simple yet kind words wash away fear and doubt,

Words I’ve remembered every day.

And then, I made it in,

All because kind words reassured me

Gave me strength.

I fell in love with this caring stranger then,

A teacher I’ve known for six years.

I began my six-year journey then,

A love for music,

Developing and growing into my passion,

Thanks to that teacher, one incredible woman:

Mrs. Rupert.

My mentor, role model, inspirational leader,

She lives her own life, an incredibly full life,

Teacher, mother, cellist, friend.

She touches the life of each student, giving time and love to them.

Life lessons outside the class are learned from her,

Valuable knowledge for the future

That a school can never teach.

Teaching me to become my own leader, goal-setter, and lover of music

Teaching me to be ambitious, persistent, and tenacious

Teaching me to achieve my dreams, but most of all,

Teaching me to have a love for my passions, to make them a reality.

She betters me, the orchestra, the community, and now the world,

Recognizing beauty in all and everyone.

She is a hard-worker for our future first, not hers.

My world needed a Mrs. Rupert six years ago.

Now I am who I am

Because of her care,

Because of her love,

Because of her.

The world needs more Mrs. Rupert’s,

My inspiration every day.