(This is a non horsey post. I am using the names of those involved because their names have been published in the news in various places.)
Two years ago, Jane Schick, the mother of one of my students (and someone that I babysat when I was in high school) was brutally murdered by her husband during a domestic dispute. He then turned the gun on himself and took his own life. My student and his sister were home when it happened and as you might imagine, their lives were totally upended by that event.
Adam and his sister went to Indianapolis to live with their father, but with tremendous support from not only family but the school administration and faculty, he and Sophie continued attending school here in West Lafayette. That meant that at least school remained the same for them while the rest of their lives had so radically changed, but I was concerned about that long 60 mile drive to and from school every day, especially during winter weather.
Today I got a text from a friend telling me that Adam and Lauren Smith, another one of my former students, had both been named National Merit Scholar finalists. I about cried when I heard the news. I was proud of them both, but to know that Adam had achieved that honor despite all the tragedy and challenges he has faced the past two years, well, I had to sit down and catch my breath.
Adam and Lauren both were asked to write a little bit about themselves in the announcement from the Tippecanoe School Corporation, and as I read what Adam wrote, it was clear that he had had to dig deep within himself to find this academic success. I cannot imagine the fortitude it took, but he proved that he was resilient and rose above his challenges.
Congratulations to both Lauren and Adam. I am so proud of you both, and felt that your accomplishment merited a blog post in your honor.
The logo for William Henry Harrison High School where Adam and Lauren attend school. (It's my alma mater, too, and I love that it has a horse in its logo!)
