[Stylist] A new prompt

[Chris Kuell]

Hey Jackie,

This is a very nice essay, and thanks for sharing it with us. It shows how
Mr. Thompson helped you come out of your shell, as well as highlighting the
importance of seeing various sides to an issue--something that is largely
lost in today's world.

Interestingly, I also had a Mr. Thompson when I was in high school, but I
don't have anything positive to say about him. I never had him as a teacher,
but did encounter him in his roles as the swim and soccer coach. In ninth
grade I tried out for swim team, knowing I wasn't the fastest swimmer, but I
also wasn't the slowest. When I didn't make the team I went to talk to him.
This was the 70s, and teachers/coaches weren't afraid of being sued for what
they said or did. He told me plainly that he knew I was a good swimmer, but
I was a diabetic and he wouldn't allow me to be on the team because if
anything happened to me it would be his responsibility. I went home and
sulked, and didn't try out for the swim team again. However, I had been
playing soccer since I was five, and I was very good. When I was 14 I was
recruited by a private German club to play for them, and it was a great
experience because the coaches really taught me a lot. I was the leading
scorer on the junior varsity team in 10th grade, and despite Mr. Thompson
coaching the varsity, I had no doubt I'd make varsity my junior year. But
nope--he cut me, and pretty much everybody was shocked.

So you got the Mr. Thompson who believed in you;  and I got the one who
didn't believe in me.

Chris