Her name was Betty Cupoli,
Feisty, short and stout,
She was not very imposing,
But her bouffant red hair stood out.

A cool, defiant heroine,
A bright light she'd be,
She felt her role, was to extol,
The virtues of students like me.

For to a girl so precocious,
Looking for a friend,
She'd hear me out, and never doubt,
The value listening could rend.

Some days at lunch you might find me,
Dismissed from the line,
Looking so dumb, but here she'd come,
To buy my meal, so I could dine.

For twenty-five years, a teacher,
Working for a cause,
Investigate and then debate,
Told me always query the law.

And with so many tournaments,
Held outside of town,
She would call mom to keep the calm,
All-time best chaparone around!

There were times we faced injustice,
Our school to defend,
Against contempt, we underwent,
Her challenge to always transcend.

And confront rules of engagement,
She'd say "trust your heart,"
Observe the rules, don't be confused,
You must believe that you are smart.

To her faith she was devoted,
Humbleness she taught,
But to lay down, and lose ones crown,
Did not stand for that which she fought.

An accomplished violinist,
Leader, teacher, friend,
To that she loved, never unplugged,
A concertmaster to the end.

In 2014 she left me,
I'd honor her name,
Till ninety-five, she kept her stride,
A legend, unmatched, she became.

So now as I look back upon,
All the things I did,
With every deed, she'd sown the seed,
A fine teacher, who loved this kid.