28. Mrs. Boyd

In 10th grade I moved to Delaware, Ohio and joined the marching band. We went off to band camp the week before school started, because if you live in Ohio and you are in a band, you are going to be marching around on the field come Friday night, because it’s time for Football!

I went to the band camp and I tried to learn to march around on the field, but playing an instrument while simultaneously trying to march around in patterns seemed to be more than I could muster.

I loved playing the flute though, so I dropped out of band and joined the orchestra. I’d never been in an orchestra before. This was pretty cool. In orchestra they cared more about the music and less about spelling out words with our bodies.

In case you haven’t guessed yet, the director of the orchestra was Mrs. Boyd. She was one of those charismatic teachers that everyone instantly loves. All the guys had a crush on her and all the girls wanted to be her. Long platinum hair, hip clothes, and an air about her.

Somehow she managed to be an authority figure and your best friend. Alive and energetic and supportive all in one.

What was it that made her so special? I found these words from my classmates on her obituary page. Thirty years after we graduated from high school

• Mrs. Boyd brought out the best in all of us

• She had an infectious personality and passion for music

• She was the most influential teacher I had

• Her infectious love of music is what encouraged me to pursue my passion

• I would not be where I am today if it were not for Kim Boyd

 Yup, she was just that kind of person.