![Canva created by Allison and Melissa Eckstein after interviewing current and former students of Gateway Regional High School; Photo taken by GRHS librarian, Kathleen Bially.](https://thechompgateway.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screenshot-2023-09-09-8.31.43-PM.png)
Last week, the Gateway community lost a beloved Art teacher, Ms. Jamie O’Neill. Gateway to Careers’ Melissa Eckstein enlisted the help of both former and current students to collect tributes to her legacy. Student staff writer, Allison Eckstein, created this beautiful infographic to share those student memories with the greater Gateway community.
O’Neill was a true warrior, and her magic weapons were paint brushes and encouraging words, both which fostered a trusting and loving environment for those in her charge.
As an example of how O’Neill touched the lives of students, Melissa Eckstein, Allison’s mom, shared, “Allison never listened to me that she was good at art; however, Ms. O’Neill’s superpower was in encouraging the most sensitive students with wicked creativity, which made them feel comfortable sharing who they were through their artwork.”
We call on our Gateway community to help us honor a true Gator. Please consider sharing how Ms. O’Neill touched the lives of many, and we also welcome you to share your own memories and tributes in the comment section. It is our hope that these beautiful tributes to her legacy will touch and comfort the grieving hearts of all those who are missing her.
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If you would like to support Ms. O’Neill’s daughters, visit the GoFundMe link below:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/lift-up-jamies-girls
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Donna Baine • Sep 22, 2023 at 2:24 am
What a thoughtfully written piece. My heart goes out to all of those who knew and loved her.