Former student gets tattoo of handwritten note from teacher who inspired him most

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA/Gray News) - A recent graduate from Carroll High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, got a tattoo of a note from his teacher.

Class of 2024 graduate Chayce McCoy says he was never interested in school.

“I had no drive, no passion, nothing,” McCoy said. “I didn’t expect to ever have the possibility of going to college, or ever really graduating.”

McCoy joined the school’s culinary arts program, taught by Renee Sigmon, during his junior year.

“It’s been really challenging. She’s always pushed me to be my best as a person,” McCoy said.

Sigmon says she has a goal in her classroom: to make her students feel like family.

“On the first day, I let them know, ‘You’re going to see me every day, several hours a day, the entire school year. You’re going to be like brothers and sisters in here,’” Sigmon said.

McCoy referred to Sigmon as his “school mom.” He decided he wanted to show his appreciation to her in a special way.

That’s why he got a tattoo of the words from a note she wrote him before he graduated.

The note said, “Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle! Always live your truth and continue to fight for what you believe.”

McCoy says he believes things work in mysterious ways because the words Sigmon wrote for him were exactly what he needed to hear.

He decided to record Sigmon’s reaction to the tattoo and post it on TikTok for others to see.

The video has since gone viral and has been viewed over 4 million times.

The comments are filled with people saying they wish they had a teacher like Sigmon. McCoy and Sigmon shared similar advice to those people.

“I had to let my guard down a little bit with teachers,” McCoy said. “I think it is important to have good relationships with teachers.”

As for Sigmon, she said, “Don’t be scared to say, ‘Hello,’ and to start conversation with each other. It’s scary the first time, but just smile, eye contact and talk to that person.”

McCoy plans to attend college in the fall to study business. He would like to open his own restaurants one day and, potentially, take over Sigmon’s job when she retires.

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