 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Children, teachers inspire teen volunteer
By LOGAN NEILL SPRING HILL -- Each year, the department of education recognizes the top student school volunteers from around the state. It's fitting that the Outstanding Volunteer Award for Hernando County went to Central High senior Gypsie MacSweeney. With more than 1,000 hours of volunteer time credited over seven years, it's quite possible that the 18-year-old is the most devoted student helper the school system has ever had. Throughout those years, the bulk of the time has been spent at Pine Grove Elementary helping out a teacher who is very near and dear to Gypsie's heart: her former kindergarten teacher, Lenora Hill. "I've loved and admired her ever since," said Gypsie. "When she asked me if I wanted to help out with her class I was so excited. I still am every time I visit." Three afternoons a week, the Brooksville teen walks through the door of Hill's classroom to a throng of youngsters who welcome her with smiles and hugs. Over the next three hours or so, Gypsie helps out with reading, art projects and other class activities. She even helps her former teacher with paperwork. "I love being around little kids, so it's not like work at all," she said. If anything, says Gypsie, being in a classroom with small children has inspired her to become a teacher. An honor student, Gypsie has plans to attend the University of Central Florida next fall to study elementary education and art. Once she earns her teaching degree, she hopes to land a job teaching in a Hernando County elementary school. "Education has always been deeply important to me," said Gypsie. "There are so many good teachers who don't get the credit they deserve. To me, they've always been true heroes." To many who know her around school, Gypsie became something of a true hero herself two years ago after she bounced back from a severe illness that almost killed her. An avid horse rider, Gypsie was tending to her 3-year-old Arabian, Tasha, when she was bitten by a brown recluse spider. After several days, she developed a severe case of osteomyelitis, a degenerative bone and joint condition, in her lower left leg. Hospitalized for 10 days, her doctors at one point feared the leg might have to be amputated. But the worst thing, remembers Gypsie, was missing school for three months, and, of course, the faces of Lenora Hill's kindergarteners at Pine Grove Elementary. "It made me really appreciate the love of my family and the support of my friends," said Gypsie. These days, the teen continues to focus on her life ahead and the goals she wants to achieve after graduation. "Being a senior feels a little weird once you start thinking about the end of the school year," said Gypsie. "I'll definitely miss the wonderful teachers I've had. But their inspiration is something I'll have for the rest of my life." About GypsieGypsie MacSweeney, 18, lives in Brooksville Parents: Brian and Karen MacSweeney Favorite subjects: English, art Hobbies: reading, drawing
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From today's Hernando Times |
