Sonja Rue Rhea

I love you Mrs. Rhea! I think about you often even after all these years.

Sonja Rhea was the best teacher I ever had. She was not only my junior high choir teacher, she was the first person to hire me to play piano. Mrs. Rhea's belief in me and confidence in what I could accomplish drove me to study piano & vocal performance in college. Had she not laid the groundwork of music theory and the dynamics of performance ("never stop - no matter what!"), I wouldn't have had near the success I did. It is due to the support of my parents and Mrs. Rhea that I still play...

I sure miss you Sonja Rhea!- I so often thought of you and the Hale Jr High era... what a time we have now eh? sheesh.. but I digress- you were 'instrumental' in giving me the push needed to get to where I went! you and Mr. Woodson next door too....
With thought of love to you and may the good Lord bless you and keep you and may the Light shine upon you eternally...

Please keep in touch and will toast to her today on Mother's day.

I had become a church organist at 14 then...

Condolences to your family.. Happy Mother's day too! have often thought of you Sonja- I became a music teacher along with French and Spanish too.. my musical career was launched at your school and your influence had major impact on me. I accompanied boys choir and mixed chorus and helped out in the 'pit' for Yankee Doodle Dandy? George Cohan show. We were next door to Mr. Woodson at Hale. Keep me posted please... would like to find out how things are and we will toast to Sonja today for...

Mrs. Rhea was one of the greatest , most positive, influences for so many. I remember being a new student and was "put" in her Drama class. It was the best thing to happen to me. She saw something in me that I didn't and I remember her encouraging me to think about teaching, she said "You will be good for the kids, and they would be good for you". I am so fortunate to have crossed paths with her and think of her often, as I have gone on to teach high school Drama and try to follow in her...

She was my teacher...but I don't think she was teaching music...I remember Creative Writing or English...I remember her vividly though, and I've only remembered a few teachers...God Bless Her...

Sonja sang "Over the Rainbow" at my retirement from Wangenheim Middle School. Now she has moved "over that rainbow" herself. She was a beloved colleague.... and a great teacher.

Jean Litchfield

Thank you for being such a great teacher and inspiration. When I was at Hale it was an era of change and you were one of the few beautiful and glowing lights not just for me, but for so many!

Thank you Mrs Rhea for being such a awesome teacher !! We all loved you , until we meet again.