Breakfast 34 -- Allie Riordan

         After I got Nerinx to add AP Stats to their curriculum,  I use to sometimes campaign hard to get students to take the course.  I am old and forgetful,  but I do remember I really wanted Allie to take the course.  I really want to teach everyone, but sometimes I would run into a student in the halls or watch them play soccer or be a part of STUCO or just be funny,  and I would really want to teach them.  At every school where I did not know who I would teach getting those class rosters was like Christmas Eve.   If you look to the right you see the words, "je ne sais quoi" under Allie's picture they mean,  "I don't know what?"  After breakfast this morning,  I have the same feeling  there is just something about this kid  young woman  that makes me smile.  Allie is about to switch jobs after 4 years as a professional,  so she is definitely a young woman.  I told her today  who would not want to work with you.   Allie sat next to the door in either the 1st or 2nd seat,  I think the first.  It is funny how you remember where your students sat.  Allie did not disappoint me in our classroom,  she worked hard and definitely showed me that she was ready for college with her academic maturity in an Advanced Placement course.  I think back on some of my high school peers and when I compare them to today's students we lose.  I know so many of my students who went to college or college and graduate school and worked their butts off.  I am so proud of them.

         Allie's nickname in Biloxi was Skinny McWilly and we talked about some of the things she did when she was down there.  I have to say thinking about it and seeing her picture (btw I am a big fan of the accidental the Dude photobomb)  she is a real professional who looks like and talks like she can accomplish anything.  I know she will charge into it with a big smile and that "je ne sais quoi" that she has.  I told her today that I do not ever remember saying anything mean or unkind in her life.  I taught her as a Senior and Seniors sometimes live life sleep deprived,  but Allie was always ready for the challenge and liked numbers and problem solving enough that she would want to work towards a solution. 

          There have been times over the last couple of weeks where I have reflected on people and events in my life.  This breakfast thing is one of my all-time best ideas.  Think of each day,  I get to just sit and listen to another human being and the people I am eating with are some of the greatest human beings on this planet and I am the best person on the planet in not using hyperbole (twist on a Tracy Agne's daughter joke).  It really is so much fun,  there have been about 40 people in these 34 breakfasts and I cannot wait for tomorrow.  My schedule might get a little funky coming up,  but know that if you want to go to breakfast with me-- I am buying.

          I hope it does not take 5 years again for me to sit and have a meal with Allie,  but if it does she might be the President of a company somewhere. 

          I have given a book to many of my students, and then could not find it for a couple of years as it is out of print.  I had 7 copies this year for the high school seniors on Biloxi.  So here is my message today for Allie,  but really it is for all of you.  It seems appropriate today.


          Allie,  "Always remember that you are never alone. There is nothing you can ever say or do that can take away my or God's love. ... Home remains as you go out to serve and conquer the world. And I always follow you wherever you go in spirit, in prayer, and in love. You are never alone."    MW Edelmann