For most students, a teacher is someone you learn from for a semester. For Cadhla O’Dwyer, Ms. Tabron became something more: a friend, mentor, and role model.

O’Dwyer first set foot in Ms. Tabron’s yearbook class in the fall of her sophomore year, where she was the only sophomore. Over the past six semesters, she has remained a member of the Leesville Menagerie, making her the current longest-standing staff member.

Cadhla knew from the beginning that something was different about Ms. Tabron. She described Ms. Tabron as “zen,” with a calming presence. Ms. Tabron isn’t the kind of teacher to get angry, which made O’Dwyer look forward to Yearbook every day. “Yearbook was always the best part of my day no matter what my schedule was. I always made sure that I had that in my schedule,” said Cadhla O’Dwyer, senior.

Their relationship is filled with laughter, but the quiet moments are what make them so close. Cadhla recalls a day when she was struggling, and Ms. Tabron stepped in to uplift her. “I didn’t even say anything, but she just wrote me a pass to go sit in the locker bay to work by myself. It was exactly what I needed in that moment. She eventually came out and gave me a hug and left without saying anything,” said O’Dwyer. 

Moments like these that show how attentive and empathetic Ms. Tabron is, both as a teacher and as a person.

Ms. Tabron is also incredibly hardworking. “She spends so much time outside of school working on the yearbook,” said O’Dwyer. When students are busy outside of school, she often picks up their slack without mentioning it, showing just how selfless she truly is.

From Ms. Tabron’s perspective, Cadhla has always stood out. “I first noticed her bubbly personality. She was always happy and energetic from day one. She just has such a bright and positive disposition,” said Ms. Tabron. 

Ms. Tabron has enjoyed watching Cadhla grow as a person and a student over the past three years, and she has been thrilled to celebrate O’Dwyer’s accomplishments, including her acceptance into the UNC business school. Whether big or small, Ms. Tabron is grateful to have been there to celebrate Cadhla’s growth.

Their relationship has been shaped by the ups and downs that come with working on a student-led publication. Although times can get stressful, Cadhla always manages to find the good in every situation. Ms. Tabron said, “I have just enjoyed having a student who is the best of the best and also such a fun and energetic person to be around.”

With graduation approaching, the two will no longer be part of each other’s daily routine, but the impact they’ve had on one another will last forever. O’Dwyer said “I’m going to miss seeing her face everyday,” mentioning how Ms. Tabron’s patient and humble personality has helped her keep pushing forward at school. 

Ms. Tabron wanted to leave a final message for O’Dwyer to remember. She said, “I want Cadhla to remember how special she is, and I want her to always be proud of her accomplishments. She has worked so hard to get to where she is today, and I want her to always take a moment and reflect and be proud of herself. If she leads with her heart and pursues anything with her full dedication, she can truly accomplish anything.”

In the end, their relationship shows that small moments of kindness and a positive attitude can leave a lasting impression far beyond the classroom. It’s the people, after all, who make the place.