For ten years now I've been a hitchhiker.
Starting off at the age of six.
Every driver has taken me as far as they can,
And every driver teaches me as I travel down the road.

Beginning sixth grade I was an experienced hitchhiker.
I had many different drivers along the way,
Some quite honestly were better than others.

But in sixth grade, one in particular changed my life.
I stepped into his car in September (not the Miata),
Along with twenty others.

Together we traveled down the smoothest road
I'd ever been on.
Usually I was bored with previous drivers,
And what they had to share with the others and myself,
But not this one.
This driver was special.

Listening to this driver was like listening to the radio.
Most all of us enjoyed learning what he had to share.

To a hitchhiker, drivers come and go,
But this driver took me more miles than any other
Had ever before.

When you're in a car with someone for so many miles,
You can't help but get to know him better.
This driver liked fishing and a special book he shared with all
Of his hitchhikers, this book was very personal to him;
It was the book read at his Mother's funeral,
And I remember it to this day.

Knowledge shared with me by this driver
Has kept me going down the road, as far as I can get.
Aspiring to become a doctor was a special goal I discovered
While riding in the car of this special driver.
He is an inspiration to me in every science class I've taken
Since riding with him.

I have only three more years left as a hitchhiker
Until I must graduate and move on to other things.
Although I will no longer be a hitchhiker
I will not forget or lose sight,
Of the drivers who brought me where I am today or will be tomorrow;
Especially that special one.

His name is Andrew Melnick

Getting out of his car at the end of sixth grade,
I knew not how to repay him for the gas and mileage he spent on me.
I felt as though I had nothing to offer,
I could not forget I was only a hitchhiker.

A few years later, this driver, still not forgotten.
I was notified only weeks ago that Andrew Melnick's car had run out of gas,
And with the rising prices of gas, he could not refill the tank.
He would no longer be picking up hitchhikers.

To this day, I am still not sure how I can repay Andrew Melnick.
He has been one of the most influential people in my life,
And I'm sure in many other lives as well.

Other drivers, but especially Andrew Melnick
Have helped me to get where I am going.
If there is one thing I could tell him not to ever forget
It would be to never forget the impact you have left on so many sixth
graders.

As children grow up they look back and remember these influential people;
Such as yourself.
Many will look back and remember the sixth grade
And what a wonderful and important year it was to them,
And they will also most likely remember you especially.

I'm lucky to realize now how important and wonderful you are.
If I leave you with one message, never forget your impact,
I surely will never forget it.

You have driven many miles and picked up many hitchhikers,
For not the people they stepped into your the car as,
But the people they stepped out of your car as,
You will be remembered.

Emily presented this poem at the retirement party for Andrew Melnick in June of 2001.