Wednesday, April 15, Barnes and Noble honored Freehold Township’s very own Mrs. Lanza with an award for being one of the most inspiring and amazing teachers in Monmouth County. She earned this very special title because sophomore Mackenzie Kean wrote a poem showcasing how Mrs. Lanza helped her become the writer that she is today. “I needed to write this poem because I needed to show Mrs. Lanza, as well as the world, how many lives, including mine, she has changed by being such an amazing teacher.” Kean said enthusiastically. It is apparent that Kean truly appreciates what Mrs. Lanza taught her, and she wanted her to be recognized for her job well done.

“It was an honor to receive the award,” Mrs. Lanza explained. “The credit though should go to Mackenzie who is a remarkable and talented young lady. I am excited she will be recognized for her talent.”

Mrs. Lanza’s compassion and love of teaching is what truly inspired Kean, and further lead to her [Lanza’s] recognition.

The following is the poem that Mackenzie submitted to Barnes and Noble:

“Mrs. Lanza”

She showed me

impossibilities

that became possibilities

with a paper and a pencil.

Like when she would flip my paper over

so I had to learn to write upside down and backwards

because writing from the beginning means you’re finished

and you never really are.

She showed me

how to pick words like flowers

by admiring the distinctive colors of writing

and learning how to manipulate its existence

until you have uprooted a new language

that grows and grows

and then forces you to pluck a few petals

to see what grows and grows back.

She showed me

that words are just words,

a swirl of letters

wrapped around tongues

and branded to pages,

until you find the correct order;

until you remember that you have control

and they become yours.

She showed me how to be a writer.