To a teacher, 

On a Monday morning, you asked what I was doing once I graduated.

When I told you I was going to the University of Delaware to major in Wildlife Ecology, you looked sad. I didn’t expect that.

 Everyone around me was so happy to hear the news that I was pursuing a science major, except you. 

You told me that I was making a mistake, and said that I should run away and pursue an acting career. 

I was shocked.

You then said I had the talent to make it. You sounded completely sure.You always were. 

 I would later wonder if you were kidding. But, you never did. You never kidded, not about the arts. 

I am still pursuing a career in wildlife. It’s what I am meant to do.  I know that one day I need to make a difference. People treat this planet and its animals terribly. I think about it constantly. 

But, you whole-heartedly believed in me. And that meant more to me than you know. Not many people did, especially not when it came to theater.

But you whole-heartedly believed in me. Even when I little. 

And, then, at eighteen, you told me that I should pursue an acting career over a science career. 

It almost sounds like a joke. It was advice I never expected to hear. 

But, it meant a lot. And gave me confidence. And, somehow, made my love of theater even greater.  Theater meant a lot to me and taught me a lot. I intend to use what I learned in my future.

I intend to find a way to act again. And I think a large part of that is because of you. 

Thank you.

~Helen Dotchel

(Note: This picture was taken at the zoo where I worked where I decided I wanted to pursue a conservation route. There is glass in between me and the snow leopard.)