Yesterday I got to witness one of my first students from White House Place Primary Center graduate from law school. They will be tearing down WHPPC this summer. White House Place was where I learned to be a teacher and the students and families I got to know there were extremely special to me. Paola is one of those special students that remains a friend today. Her husband (yes, husband, how can a 6 year old be married? asked if I could say a few words at her luncheon. I wasn't sure I would be able to stay so I wrote down a few words for Josh to read in case I had to leave. Luckily, things worked out, so Josh didn't have to be me. Here is just some of the things that makes Paola special to me and others.
Paola,
I remember the very first day I met you. You walked into my class with your mom, newly arrived to Los Angeles. You had your trademark thick glasses and stylish bob haircut. Even though you didn’t speak English, you made friends quickly and you loved books! Little did I know that for the next two years you would be my constant afterschool buddy and special friend from that day on.
· I remember afternoons in my classroom helping me prep.
· I remember taking you to my beginning Spanish for teachers classes and how you sat in the back of the room not making a sound, but reading, drawing, and amused by adults butchering your home language.
· I remember the Hollywood Bowl, Phantom, Les Mis, and Joseph. You asked the Phantom how he disappeared into his chair and years later I got to witness you directing your own play.
· I remember how you could memorize every word, every song to Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid.
· I remember getting a phone call from you early morning on January 17, 1994 to wish me a Happy Birthday and a “Are you okay?” after the earthquake.
· I remember how you were not sure about that new man in your mom’s life and I remember the day you called him Dad instead of George.
· I remembered how much you wanted a sibling, and I remember how excited you were when your sisters were born.
· I remember asking you about boys and you saying there was a friend at church.
· I remember watching you play Juliet and feeling such a sense of joy and pride.
· I remember hearing your high school graduation speech and finally getting a glimpse of “that friend” from church.
· I remember getting emails from you saying you had collected all the LA Times from your dorm with my article in it and saving them for me.
· I remember being at your wedding watching you marry that friend from church as you glowed with love and joy.
I cannot tell you how blessed I am to be a part of your life Paola. You are an inspiration to me. So as we celebrate you today, we also celebrate your family, your mom who has worked long and hard hours to create the life you have today, to George who, with your mom have provided you with a stable and loving family, your little sisters and your Josh. I am so very proud of all you have accomplished, but more so for the woman you have become. You are not only intelligent and creative, but caring and compassionate. I am excited about all that you will do in the future and contributions you will make.
One of my favorite quotes come from Jackie Robinson:
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”
You have impacted all our lives. Congratulations!
2 comments:
I love your "what's up with the hair photo". You have a wealth of great students - because you are a great teacher!!!!!
Hey! With all this bar prep studying I hadn't checked your blog and at these late hours of the night...err..morning I stumble upon this! What a wonderful surprise after hours of Con Law studying! Thank you so much for your words at my graduation. So much of who I am, what I enjoy, and who I'd like to be, stems from those amazing two years having you as a teacher and knowing you since then. I have always held you up as an example of the kind of impact I'd like to make in the lives of others. Thank YOU for your love, dedication, and passion!
Hope we can get together post-July!
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