Welcome back, Samantha Donnelly! The WS Class of 2006 graduate is back to make an impact on the school that gave so much to her.

For most students, returning to work at the high school that they attended would not be high on their list of “to dos,” but Samantha Donnelly was honored to do so.

At the end of last year, our beloved marketing teacher Liz McDowell retired from her long stay at WS. Coming in to replace her was her student of four years, Donnelly. She recently graduated from James Madison University with a degree in marketing making her well equipped to becoming another memorable marketing teacher.

Although she just took the place of her teacher of four years, there are still many things at WS that remain the same from when she was here.

“I had Ms. Hauser for math, Mrs. Nelson for Yearbook, Mrs. Beall for English, Mrs. Boivin for history, and Mrs. McDowell for marketing” said Donnelly.

Donnelly explained how now, as she walks down the hallways and hears her old teachers lecturing she is able to appreciate it much more. She learned so much from them, and they have helped her get to where she is now.

“When I was first getting into teaching I contacted my old teachers at WS for advice” said Donnelly.

It was actually her old history teacher that made her want to take up the career.

“My big inspiration for being a teacher was my history teacher, Mrs. Grace. During my freshman year at James Madison University I kept in touch with her. I had a really hard time adjusting and she gave me great advice,” said Donnelly.

Many teachers and students who knew Mrs. Grace and could attest to how kind an inspirational she was, and Donnelly felt the same way.

“In February 2007 she passed away, and at that point a light bulb went off in my head. I realized that I want to live the kind of life that she did. I want to make an impact on my students like she did to me – even if it is only one” said Donnelly.

As it is Donnelly’s first year and she has many more years of teaching to come, she strives to work her hardest to educate her students to the best of her ability. Day to day, year to year, she will keep Mrs. Grace in her memory, serving as a reminder of the type of teacher that she wants to be.

“[Mrs. Grace’s life] is the kind of life you want to live. When you are gone you want people to remember you for making an impact on their lives” said Donnelly.