Allison "Nohea" Breeden was introduced to me after she discussed with Dr. Elizabeth Boquet, her interest in becoming an English teacher. On campus, all the way from Hawaii, she was always shy about her skills and apologetic, conscious that her "Island" education wasn't like the college preparation of other kids at Fairfield University. Beth saw it first - the amazing brilliance and unique abilities to a young woman. Soon, I was mentoring Max and she was mentoring Nohea, and I had both in class (but Nohea kept quiet...it wasn't until the end of this year that she started to unleash her true personality and she was irreplaceable).
I knew at the Martin Luther King Youth Leadership Academy that I had a keeper. She was awesome in Boston, too, presenting to teachers, authors, and schools at NCTE, but it wasn't until I saw here with kids on campus, over 100 middle school students, that I said, "Yep. This girl has it. PERSONALITY." I handed her the microphone and she kept the kids engaged for 20 minutes while we waited for the last bus to arrive. Then, a week ago, I watched how she worked with authors Jerry Craft and Kwame Alexander as if she was a pro....always three steps ahead of them helping the program to go forward and the day to be a success.
Nohea said I was a wimpy teacher, when I admitted that her lesson plans in The Literate Learner brought me to tears. It wasn't just the lessons, but she set up a song from Moana II, Disney, and I was listening while I was grading her over-the-top awesome work. I couldn't believe how far she'd grown and how special her project was. Connecting with college kids is not the same as connecting with high school kids, as there are many more guards up...and maturity rails. Connecting with Max and Nohea this year made everything that much more special. As Beth texted, "I'm going to need some time to mourn the loss of Nohea." She's chosen to return to Hawaii to get her Masters and her certification.
This is probably why when, Dr. Boquet sent me the photo of Nohea crossing the stage and posing, I had to stop and catch my breath. Red boots. Funny Face. Zest and class. Nohea all the way. Academic All-Star and irreplaceable personality.
Nohea's work on indigenous Hawaiian languages and her desire to lift kids up to be their best has been an ongoing mission. She's funny, alert, intellectual, but also humble and on the ground. Yes, Beth, I'm going to be mourning with you. I just put the note she left in my gift bag onto my wall of love. I have been her Fairfield University Dad and I've always seen her as a precious daughter. It was so wonderful to meet her father this week, her mother, and her little sister (we are lucky to have the brother a couple more years). Grandpa, too.
When the special ones come your way, you have to celebrate them. Embrace them. Share them with the world and simply wish them nothing but the best.
Here's to you, Nohea. You are loved. Go save as many starfish as you can. Whenever I think about the purpose of life, what we do, and how we go about it, I'm always drawn to the free spirits like you... that of this young woman. Absolute admiration all the way.
A standing ovation.
