![In room 4101, Natalie Patterson ‘26, Ariana Magor ‘25 and Celina Salazar ‘25 create a poster in science teacher Kerry Reilly’s Chemistry Honors April 18. The three completed a worksheet and drawing to explain the implosion of a tank for their unit on gas laws. “At the start of class, we watched a video of the tank imploding,” Patterson said. “I think [making a drawing] is something new. I like more artsy activities.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5019-1200x900.jpeg)
![The girls varsity soccer team walk back to their bench during halftime April 1. The Jags played against the Castle View Sabercats at the Douglas County Stadium and scored 3-0 W. “It felt really good [to beat Castle View]. I feel like that was a big win for us because knowing that we came together to beat a pretty good team has definitely given us some leverage for this season,” attacking midfielder Grace Rossner ‘24 said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_4906-1-1200x1057.jpg)
![Math teacher Austin Bennett observes seventh period students step to the board to solve Equation of Circle problems May 2. Bennett has been teaching for a total of four years, with only two of those years spent as a Jag. He hopes after his time as a high school teacher to become a professor. [College math] is more challenging, and its good to challenge yourself, Bennett said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0147-1200x900.jpg)
![English teacher Colleen Lamb grades College Prep English assignments during period two Nov. 10. Lamb, who has been teaching for 27 years, decorates her classroom with posters and handmade college flags from her senior students. Everything I enjoy about English happens primarily in the classroom, Lamb said. So, thankfully, the college [I worked at] had a teaching program, and I was able to do my post-grad work for free while I was working [there].”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_1158-1200x900.jpeg)
Students and teachers gather as chatter fills the room. Smiles and kind words are shared while students thank and recognize their teachers who have impacted their personal and academic lives.
Teacher Appreciation Night occurs annually and is an opportunity for seniors from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to present their selected teacher with a plaque as a symbol of gratitude.
This year, the event occurred on Wednesday, April 10, at 7 p.m. at the Meadows Blvd Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
This year’s senior nominees were athletic trainer Taylor Quenzer by Lexi Hayden, science teacher Susanne Petri by Jack Benson and Lance Christensen, science teacher Brandom Hommel by Emylee Whitten, math teacher Tony Koy by Trevor Olsen, science teacher Kerry Reilly by Kendall Meibos and Newspaper adviser Kristi Rathbun by Avalon Nielsen.
During the event, seniors gave short speeches and personal stories about the teacher they had selected before presenting the plaque to them. The plaques include the speeches engraved on the back as well as a picture of the student, their name and the teacher’s name on the front.
“Teacher Appreciation Night is amazing because we get to recognize the people who influence us the most. Especially by giving recognition to the teachers that go above and beyond,” Meibos said.
