March 12, 2004 I learned this Morining that My High School Art teacher Passed away this morning. Yesterday, she left the school and was on her way home down a 4 lane highway (with a Large devider) when someone slamed into her Head on. She was Helicoptered to the hospital and taken into surgery. From then til around 9a.m. this morning, she was in Surgery. from what I understand her Aretha (spelling) bursted. It's the Vail to her Heart) and she passed. Donctors did their best to save her, but it was just too late. Mrs. Thomas started at North Pitt in 1994 (the same year I started) and continued to work there until she passed. Loved by EVERYONE she always had a smile on her face or would smile when she saw you. She was one of those teachers that'll let you get away with just about anything during glass. She did teach her students new projects they never attepmted before and always made you learn on your own instead of hover over you, telling you how to do this or that. Most of the time we did the same projects just in different ways. She (being a former model for her classmates during College) never had a problem with nudity and saw it as a Form of art. And concidering I couldn't afford to mess up my cloths during most the projects, this was welcomed by me and other students during painting,, construction, and clay projects. She somehow always managed to trick the Principles into allowing Art Field trips that had little to nothing in common with art. I remember once, she conveinced the Principle that we had to go to the beach to practice Mode makeing in the sand. Concidering the Exact same thing could have been done in the School's backyard, there was a 10,000 to 1 chance the trip would be approved. And yet, some how it was. The Trip to the Beach lasted ALL DAY, and we spent about 5 minutes on the project that we went down there for. Getting a Picture of Mrs. Thomas was near impossible, since she was always the one taking the pictures for everyone. She was in fact a Pro in my book. I went back to the school once in a while just to hang out with her a few other teachers and their students. The last time I saw her was in December of 2003 when she took pictures of me for a Sculpture that would be made for referance purposes. I was schaduled to return in April to help teach one of her classes with her and then later to help usher a trip to a Musiem and the Beach (oddly enough for the same project). Both of those appointments were canceled this Morning. She left behind a Loving Husband a Daughter. Her Daughter (April) was in her class this year. PLease, pray for the family, students and School. I gradurated from her class in 1998. We'll NEVER forget her. UPDATE: She Also left behind 2 Loving Step-Sons. The accident happened when a speeding motorist pulled infornt of her w/o warning, forcing her onto and through the Median into another vehical. The Speeder has yet to be found. And the victom in the other vehical is in credical condition and should survived. Concidering his truck was smaller then Mrs. Thomas's, it's a Mericale he survived. I'm trying to get images of both vehicals if anyone's interested. If so, let me know (IM me).