Ryan Anthony Zinna

A hero is someone who inspires you, who makes you feel like you can do anything. My hero is Ryan Anthony Zinna. Ryan Zinna inspired many children of Selden Middle School to appreciate art. He made each and every child feel like they can do anything. He touched the lives of many people, teachers, and students. He would always make someone happy. He could put a smile on someone’s face even if they had the worst day of their life. Ever since he passed away, the lives of many people have changed and it hasn’t been the same since then.

Ryan Zinna was born on April 21, 1976. He lived in Coram. Ryan only lived to the painfully young age of 29. March 23 was the day he passed away. He was very important to everyone. Ryan was an inspirational teacher at Selden Middle School. He had a wife and a two-year-old son named Ryan Bailey Zinna. He made me think that art was not just something you look at, but it’s something that has a meaning or a story behind it. Ryan was the most amazing art teacher on the planet.

Mr. Zinna was important to me because he taught me to look at art in a way of not how it should be, but how you want it to be, how it could be. He made me smile all the time by either making fun of me in a playful manner or doing the same to someone else. He was such a talented artist. When he passed away, the children at Selden Middle School could not believe it. It was in 6th period class where he had a heart attack and died. When I first heard the news, I didn’t want to believe it was true - but it was. Ryan Zinna will always be a part of me and many kids who loved and cared for him the same way I did.

Ryan Anthony Zinna passed away on March 23, 2006. Ryan’s favorite color was green, so in memory of Mr. Zinna on March 23, we dedicated a day to him. All the students wear green to represent him. We also made a garden for him. He was such an important person. There were many wonderful things about him, how he always made someone smile or laugh. He always had a smile on his face. Whenever you saw him, you would smile too.

Ryan Zinna inspired, taught and made students happy. He changed the lives of many people in the world. We miss him always and he will never leave our hearts.