LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Erick Hueck was nominated by Victoria Mascaro, a former student.

"Mr. Hueck was my ninth grade science teacher at Miami Senior High in 1989," said Mascaro. "It was his first year teaching and my first year of high school. Even then, when he was not yet a seasoned teacher, he was incredibly focused, engaged with the students, an excellent teacher, and a great motivator. He made learning fun, and I remember loving his class. His class was fun, vivacious, and he pushed all his students to their maximum potential."

"Mr. Hueck, also known as Poppa Hueck, encouraged me to be engaged in high school, join social clubs and honor societies, and partake in community service," said Mascaro. "I trusted him. I knew he cared deeply about his students, and I took his advice. He planted the seed of social service in me, which in turn, as a mother, I have planted in my son, who has been volunteering with me since he was four years old. Poppa Hueck is one of those teachers who marks your life in a positive way forever. Even after I left his class, I continued to always come back to him because he was the head of Beta Club at Miami High, which he continues to be to this day. I joined Beta because of him."

"When my family was struggling to make ends meet when I was in my junior and senior years, and I had to work part time to help support my household, it was Poppa Hueck who was always there to lend a hand, to encourage me, and to make sure that I remained engaged in school," said Mascaro. "After graduating high school, Poppa Hueck and I never lost touch. We continued a friendship that has now spanned the course of 31 years. He is my friend, my confidant, my adoptive father, and my son’s grandfather. When I found myself pregnant and alone at the age of 34, it was Poppa Hueck who asked me if I needed a partner for my Lamaze classes, which I did. He spent three days in class with me to learn all the techniques that I would need at the time of birthing my son. And this is who he is with all of his students. He cares to the max."

"He adores my child and never misses a birthday or Christmas," said Mascaro. "When I go a while without calling, he reaches out to make plans so we can spend time together. He has been a steadfast presence of love, encouragement, and support in my life and in the life of my son, just like a real father would be. I am blessed and honored to have him in my life and call him my friend. I know that no matter what, I can always count on him. He has proven that consistently. I can’t think of anyone who deserves this recognition more than him."