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m' it Stay it s
By Chelsea Smith brother journeyed to Denmark to trace their roots However.
Whenever I passed by room 212.the man standing beside the majority of the time,he relished traveling by himself He
the door never failed to return my timid smile with a vibrant wanted to do things his way,and didn't want anybody holding
grin of his own. Many teachers often smile back out of sheer him back from his enlightenment of the world around him. Not
politeness, but it always seemed that his was completely to say that he was being selfish in doing so.for he often thought
genuine. Sadly,those warm smiles were all that I was ever of others while on his trips. On a trip to Germany,he bought
able to receive from Mr.James Riis. I wasn't lucky enough to a book for Mrs. Brendle because he knew that she enjoyed
Dom. be able to experience his brilliance because at age 53.after that subject area. She recalled,"He was always thinking of
25 years of teaching at Zephyrhills High School.Mr.James us
„". Riis passed away Another of Mr Riis'favorite pastimes was reading. When
There are not very many people who have such a gusto for friends couldn t find him, they automatically assumed that
• v the topic of government,but Mr.Riis knew the subject inside he was perusing the shelves of the local Barnes&Nobles.
and out. According to Mr.Ream."Mr.Riis loved the rumble scouring the store for the newest book. His involvement in a
r and tumble of politics. Since government is very current,it book club further confirmed his love for reading.He constantly
never grows stale You think that you have a handle on it. desired to attain even more knowledge.and his voracity for
and then the next day things start all over again" Mr. Riis reading enabled him to succeed in that quest.
was a stickler for the detail required to teach the course and Though many of his pastimes seemed serious and intel-
he loved passing on his subject area. He took an immense lectual. Mr. Riis still knew how to have a good time. Each
pride in what he could teach his students. day Mr. Ream and Mr. Riis would carpool to work together.
However.Mr Riis expertise wasn't limited to just govern- The two friends would always debate different topics on the
ment. Being a history buff,he became Mrs.McNary's go-to ride back and forth Mr Ream confessed that he became a
guy when she had questions involving history of any sort better debater because of these car rides,but he has afeel-
Whether it be American.European,or any other type of his- ing Mr.Riis did as well. Mrs. McNary,known for her love of
tory,he had the answers without having to consult a book or enforcing dress code promised that she would never forget
website for confirmation. Many teachers used identical words the time that he came to school looking very suave in blue
when describing him-brilliant. He knew so much that it kind slacks and a blue plaid shirt. He insisted to her that he was
of boggled your mind.With his vast knowledge of government going to change his image. The manner in which he laughed
and the political system, he even ran for the Florida State was Mrs Brendle's fondest memory of him. She found that
m a a won eriul,boom ng laugh House of Representatives as a Republican candidate. He it was very interesting and unique. For being such a small
ways made me smile and feel b desired tackling the issue of education and wanted to revamp man,he had a nice booming laugh This was the laugh of
just hearin the FCAT a man who was never a fake The laugh of someone who
Cynthia Brendle His abundance of knowledge was partly received through meant everything that he said and was never a hypocrite. The
his cornucopia of travels He was always taking trips to Europe laugh of a brilliant kind man whose presence at ZHS will be
because he loved exploring new places. Once he and his sorely missed but never forgotten
1010 •
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'In remembering Jim Riis, his passion for history and government has
been observed numerous times. Especially,on our trips to Tallahas-
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see was this evident. However. Mr. Riis also impressed me as a true
gentleman and a gentle man." .
-Gail Reynolds
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