The News-Review's Educator of the Year award for 2008 is given posthumously to Riverhead High School art teacher Vincent Nasta, 46, who was killed in a plane crash Aug. 17 during a performance at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in upstate New York, where he worked as a stunt show pilot.

As word of Mr. Nasta's death spread throughout the community and beyond, the outpouring of love and grief expressed by his students, past and present, was a breathtaking testament to the impact and influence of an educator whose passion for his work -- and his pupils -- touched so many lives.

Mr. Nasta's students flocked to the Internet to pay homage to their teacher, mentor and friend, posting memories of Mr. Nasta and noting the difference he made in their lives. Strung together, their words tell the story -- in an intensely personal, heartfelt way -- of what a difference a dedicated, inspired teacher like Mr. Nasta can make in his students' lives. It's something the designation "educator of the year" doesn't even come close to describing. In the words of Mr. Nasta's students:

"He was more than a teacher -- he was one of my best friends."

"He made you feel special."

"He believed in me when no one else did."

"He understood you, even though he was an adult."

"He changed my life."

"I wouldn't have gotten into college without him."

"He made me believe in myself."

"He taught me I could accomplish something."

"He inspired me."

"He could make you stop doubting. He gave you a sense of accomplishment. He made you feel like everything was going to be OK."

"He helped you think outside the box, to know it's OK to color outside the lines. What you do outside the lines is often an expression of who you really are."

"He taught you to look deeper, to look at what you really like, find what you're really dreaming about and go for it."

"He helped me my whole senior year get through everything."

"He pushed me to finish projects. He kept me going in life all around."

"He was truly an inspiration. He was more than a teacher. He was like a best friend to everybody."

"He invested time in me."

"He was so kind and patient."

"He helped me get my portfolio together, which got me into college."

"I've been out of high school 13 years, and there's still something so poignant about him, so special."

"You only hope for a teacher like this once in a lifetime."

Denise Civiletti