Breakfast 6 -- Emily Mancuso aka Juno

         I wanted to teach high school seniors at SLUH.  I am glad my career wish did not come true.  I am an alien inside of an all girls' school,  I often understand less of their conversations than Ugandans talking Lwo.  But OMG girls are on Fleek.  I have no idea what I just said,  but I know my heart has felt more love than I ever thought possible teaching phenomenal young women.  Near the end of my Nerinx career,  I was figuring out the pedagogy I could use to just get out of the way and let these stars shine.  Father Boyle says,  "We see in the homies what they do not see in themselves . . . until they do."  I taught one of the sweetest, kindest, joyful young woman  Emily Mancuso.  She was always smiling and just being a great kid.  It turns out that as she was giving so much love to all those around her,  it was not an easy time for Emily.  There are so many times I wish I could lend students my eyes, my ears, and my heart so they could see themselves, hear themselves, and love themselves the way I see them and hear them.  Emily got a camera,  wrote a song for me and posted it on Facebook.  I cannot tell you how amazing that felt.  So when she went to Facebook her nickname was Juno.  A foreshadowing that we laughed about today as we watched her  4 year old son play with trucks and trains.

         There is a lot wrong with Facebook and how it influences us to join teams and hate or not understand the other side.  But Facebook,  allowed me to see a picture of Emily receiving her diploma.  I cannot even express how proud of her I am.  I can just imagine how tough it was because I did not earn my college diploma while trying to do my best for my young son who needs just a little more time and a little more love throughout the day.  Facebook also allowed me (and this is where their algorithms get a little freaky) to remember Emily's Nerinx graduation through  a picture of both of us,  her with cap and gown, me with my favorite tie.  I would have written something on Emily's banner at Senior retreat.  I do not think I would have gotten the words right,  but if I could go back in time for just 2 days.  It probably would be for the Class of 2012's Senior retreat.  These were my students who stood with me and cried with me on my saddest days.  I am so damn proud of that entire class and the paths they continue to strive confidently down.

         Now I am a small part of the next challenge for Emily.  Here is a young woman with an incredible heart.  We have to find some way and some path for Emily where we can find people who have been neglected, ignored, or marginalized.  They need in their lives Emily's smile,  Emily's heart and maybe if they are extraordinarily blessed--they will one day hear a song from Emily.