The Pirate Post

Many people in our school shine as examples and role models to those around us. In this month’s spotlight, we want to acknowledge people who bring a positive and comfortable environment to our school. Courtney Giller, a Junior at Southeast Highschool, and Julia Dillon, an English teacher at Southeast Highschool, are both persistent examples of kindness and striving for the best every day.

Courtney Giller & Julia Dillon

Dillon comes to school each day with a smile shining on her face, even in the early mornings. She offers comfort when we are faced with problems while enriching us with knowledge in a subject many people overlook. If there was one thing she would change in our community, it would be the idea that learning isn’t important because she believes it is a valuable thing that we’ve fought for, especially as women. “Your brain is the most important thing to you because it will get you places, all the experiences and lessons, and people don’t care about it anymore”. Dillon chose to be a teacher because of an English teacher she had in high school. She knew she had a passion for reading and writing but didn’t understand at the time how much she truly adored kids. She realized how much of an impact teachers have on students, which brought her to utmost fulfillment in knowing she chose the right pathway. When it comes to her advice, Dillon stated, “You guys are kids but also on the verge of being adults, the more honest advice you are given, the easier some of the things are later in your lives”. She knows that not every kid will follow the advice in the moment, but all mistakes are lessons; later down the road we can reflect and say ‘maybe that was true’. “The more open and honest someone can be, the more comfortable kids will feel to come and talk to you and it’s good for them to have an adult to come to”. Outside of school, Dillon spends her time reading and with her family. Now that her kids are older and don’t rely on her as much in the ways they did when they were young, Dillon strives to be there for her kids and spends a majority of her time attending sporting events to support and cheer them on. Motivation might not be easy but being a part of her students lives and hearing their stories makes the lousy days better. Even though we all leave in the end, she is like a mom seeing us grow and become adults through our four years of high school. Dillon helps to bring the light to our school environment not only teaching kids but being the comfort and guide that many of us need.

lives by the motto, “It doesn’t really matter in the end”.  She realizes that every problem might be a struggle, but it’s only temporary, one day, whether it’s tomorrow or ten years from now, it won’t matter. Every day is a fresh start, so why dwell on all the bad things? Giller tries to treat everybody the way she wants to be treated, an attitude everybody should follow and adapt too. Her positivity and exuberance that she brings to school everyday affects more than just herself; it affects all of those around her including people at her school and at work. She’s involved in FCCLA, link crew, and the cheer team for both football and basketball season. Her favorite extracurricular activity of them all is cheer “…because of all the bonds I have formed mixed with the people” Giller said. She finds that the best part of her day is going to her human anatomy class. The human anatomy class will help guide her on her journey to becoming a military travel nurse, which is one of her biggest dreams. Giller shows a tremendous amount of passion in the activities she is involved in, her honesty and carefree attitude joined together creates an energy that welcomes others and shows true compassion.