When I was still enrolled at Brigham Young University, decidedly a 2-Dimensional Art major, I took a beginning sculpture class.
I had never done any serious exploration with clay and had a less than enthusiastic outlook on how I would do in the class. I went into the class with a mindset that I would fall behind as I had done in so many other classes and that I would have nothing worthwhile to show for it come the semester's end.
It turned out to be the best class that I had taken at that college as well as the community colleges I had previously been enrolled in.
4 years later and I am realizing that I never gave this soft spoken Tongan teacher the proper thank you that he deserved. I'm not sure if he would remember me now, or if he had even the slightest clue as to how down I was feeling on myself when I entered into his class, but his teaching and friendliness helped rekindle something inside me that gave me a new inspiration and direction for my schooling.
He is an accomplished sculptor and well known throughout Tonga due to some of his sculptures that are there now. Even my husband speaks so highly of him and the beautiful creations that many have seen in many places around the world.
Ironically, the first time I met my future husband was at this same teacher's home shortly after Rodney arrived with the new students from Tonga. :]
I'm proud to say that his teaching, encouragement and personal insight on his education (which was strikingly similar to the educational struggles I was experiencing) have been a large factor in my wanting to more aggressively pursue the education that will lead to my personal happiness in 3-Dimensional art.
Thank you, Brother Tolutau for your encouragement and pride in me that was a much needed push in my life. I hope to someday thank you in person for the inspiration of perseverance and kindness alike, and also hope to have that education I am after that will lead to a personal triumph that I am determined to achieve.
