I was in Mr. Lucas’s eighth grade honors English class many years ago. I had just moved to the area in order to live with my father. My grades prior to this were lackluster, despite my giftedness.
Mr. Lucas was an amazing teacher! There was never a dull moment in his class. During the school year, we partnered with Center Stage in order to have a playwright work with a small group of us. I was selected for the project. We were invited to create a play for submission in the Young Playwright’s Festival. I didn’t think I stood a chance, so I decided against it. Mr. Lucas, however, encouraged me to try. He even gave me classtime to write since the deadline was so near. I wrote the play in two days, sent it off at the last minute with no editing, and won 2nd place! I also won the Maryland is Beautiful essay contest that same year.
