While teaching the future generations of America, teachers made substantial impacts on their students. Players on the James Buchanan Girls Basketball team honored their teachers who made the biggest influence in their lives. 

On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, the James Buchanan Girls Basketball team hosted a game to show their admiration for their teachers. Although coached by a James Buchanan High School teacher, the players themselves brought attention to the idea.

“Each year at the beginning of the season, we ask the players to come up with theme night ideas. The fact that they wanted to have a teacher night just says a lot about how much they respect the teachers they’ve had and the ones they have this year. I don’t tell them we’re going to have a teacher night; they tell me. We invite teachers and encourage them to come out and see the players,” James Buchanan High School’s head girls basketball coach and science teacher Becky Miller said.

After mentioning the idea to their coach, the girls nominated specific teachers that greatly affected their lives.

“It felt very special to know that I was playing that game for the teachers that have impacted my life in such a good way. It made it very important to me,” sophomore Ainsley Green said.

The students wrote notes, hand delivered goody bags filled with candy, gum, and stickers, and invited teachers to their game.

“It makes me feel really happy and appreciated. It put a really big smile on my face and made me feel like I chose the right career,” History teacher Megan Swailes said.

Many teachers were recognized from varying departments around the school. Players and teachers alike enjoyed the opportunity to acknowledge and be acknowledged at Tuesday’s game.

“To me it’s a big honor. It says that what I’m doing here is making a difference, and I think that is what it’s about. I’ve always been blessed with really good students here,” English teacher Troy Hillwig said.

On display at the game, a table featured gifts and signs thanking teachers for their support.

“It did make my heart very happy,” Spanish teacher Brandy Hutchison-Reed said.

Despite the fact that Northern High School beat James Buchanan 53-23, the game proved meaningful in many ways.

“The game was a little disappointing and a little stressful, but it was pretty cool that we got to honor our teachers,” senior Morgan Iverson said.

Although teachers were not formally recognized everyday, students appreciated the effort and work teachers did for them to a great extent.