The Class of Public Speaking

Does class size matter? Most of my classes averaged twenty-five students. I never felt like the teacher neglected me. My high school currently has less students and touts smaller class sizes for a more personalized experience.

The smallest class I had was Public Speaking. Everyone who chose this elective received a spot. A Debate class with the same teacher was held in the auditorium. Debates were held on stage: the same stage for assemblies, masses and school plays. Mr. Iaccobucci taught both classes. He was also my gym teacher twice.

On one hand: he was the best teacher encountered in high school. On the other hand: the most classes any other teacher taught me was two. Years ago there was a journal entry where I graded my teachers. One received an F. Most were in the B range and Mr. Iaccobucci had to receive an A if not A plus. Good teachers bring out the best in their students such as:

Josh

Lucky for me everyone had common names so I can maintain anonymity to a degree. Of the ten students I probably knew Josh the least. He engaged very well, presented himself in an intelligent manner and hopefully is doing well in the present. No one met in the modern era peaked in high school; certainly not:

Bill

Something of a party animal. I was not the only one who used humor to maximum effect. Bill was boisterous and had great humanity along with the facade of humor. Exactly the kind of friend you want to have. This class was a contest I won; especially as I walked in the first day and saw:

Mike

Enhancing sophomore English and Junior lunch was not enough. As I entered the class he looked up and said excitedly "Tom's in this class!" Rarely did I feel wanted. After spending the summer in court due to my father's obsession with destroying his family and the Vice-Principal constantly trying to expel me without provocation I was more accustomed to feeling Wanted: Dead or Alive. There was no bounty on my head. If there were I would have turned myself in to be with:

Michelle

Inadvertently she said one of the nicest things to me. Not a personal compliment although those were mentioned occasionally. Whenever I came up with a new idea or the way to proceed with my oration she would say "That's good." She would have encouraged anyone. She encouraged me as well which inspired me to tell others that they did well. The alternative was living a life where you are never satisfied. Certain teachers and other adults did that. If you can't win them over the game is unwinnable. When it came to winning there were few who were more adept than:

Kelly

I did not attend sporting events in senior year. The football team wasn't great and the boy's basketball team was waiting for Melo Trimble to be born. I don't know if he made an NBA team. In senior year: girl's basketball was top notch. They won the championship. Kelly was on that team along with many other ladies I knew and was proud to see succeed. Hearing about the games was great. You want certain people to do well and when they follow through there is a great sense of pride. I am proud of everyone from this class. The fact that I recall them many years later proves their enduring positive impact. The next generation should feel positively impacted by:

Erin

I knew her peripherally from St. James. She was a good student. Compared to my failure to plan? Everyone was a good student. I had reason to do well in Public Speaking. It played to strengths such as research and expressing things in my own words. Erin now teaches at St. James which means students are lucky to have her. Teaching requires consistency and very few in my life were more consistent than:

Susie

Going back to sixth grade: she was another peripheral. Her enjoyment of Bruce Springsteen is recalled to this day. At least she chose one who still tours and has a lifetime of worthwhile music. In my mind I a hearing the piano intro from live versions of Growing Up. Before writing an article in the style of the stories before a song: Susie was and still is consistent. A good person to know and she defended me when I used the word "sucks" in a speech. Teachers thought that was dirty. Susie said it was the next level of "This stinks." I have used that justification ever since. It is nice having someone stand up for me. Fortune went from good to better when meeting:

Paola

Seeing her in this class and hearing her speak at charity functions connected the dots. Evidently someone used their education for good. The encouragement received from Paola whom I see at least once a year (sorry, Sarah, we connected beyond the keyboard. Anyone can do it.) reminds me of the importance of showing up. My presence was always appreciated more than my absence which leads inexorably to:

Rick

You never know who you will meet in school. Some who are dreaded in September become best friends by June and beyond. Most of my encounters with the class behind me were negative. You can't judge an entire class on a couple knuckleheads. Josh and Erin were in that class as well. Rick was enjoyable. Similar to Bill although I never made the connection until recently. They had great senses of humor and a love of seafood and beer. It's fun to deal with certain people. Especially in classes where the teacher encourages creativity.

Nothing stunted my growth more than the institutional nature of school. This was a good class. The quality of students made it a better class. Rick lost his battle with cancer yesterday. The fact that he remained active and did not mention a personal battle he waged for five years should tell you everything you need to know. When someone who makes the world a better place departs this mortal coil there is a void. I'll miss his humor; the way he made my life in a dismal era better if only in seventh period. Losing someone makes you appreciate everyone else all the more. It wouldn't surprise me if he windsurfed to Heaven.