I woke up this morning thinking about last night. The scholarship awards night here in my town is one of my favorite nights of the year. There isn't anything better than giving a bunch of graduating seniors scholarship money and honoring deserving individuals. My most favorite one to award each year is the Mike & Maureen Kane Town of Monson Scholarship award. I thought I would include a portion of my speech for you all to read.
"Our last scholarship of the evening is as close to my heart as things possible could get. I was supposed to be away for work tonight, I am supposed to be coaching a softball game right now but I am here because that’s what this deserves. I am here for Mike and in all the years I have given this out I only missed once and that was because the Varsity baseball team went into extra innings during a playoff game. This award is the Mike and Maureen Kane town of Monson award. Maureen Kane was Mike’s wife. She was an educator and beautiful person. She was tragically killed while walking home to their house in Cape Cod. The very first time we gave this award at the time it was just the Maureen Kane award. I walked in here that night of the awards and sat next to Mike. He had a tear coming down and said Sara I can’t give this award you need to do it alone. So it’s not good practice to swear to your principal but that day I certainly did. I was like your kidding I have zero prepared and we go up in like 10 minutes. He responded nothing. I can tell you if that was any other human in this world I probably would have ran out of this building. Instead they called him up and he remained sitting and up I went to present his wife's award. I haven’t a clue what I said or if any of it made sense but I did it and then I sat back down. He quietly responded that was epic when we both knew it wasn’t.
Mike Kane is a legend to the town of Monson and my High School Principal. I can tell you I wasn’t the principal suck up or a nerd I was the opposite. I was an athlete who liked to party and occasionally get into trouble believe it or not. It was after I graduated that our friendship began. Mike was an educator and coach and started his career in Monson in 1961. He became principal in 1981 retiring in 1998. Every possible good thing in this town he started. Let’s just keep it as simple as that. Mike lost his battle to cancer 8 years ago. He was my mentor and my friend and personally stood by me whenever I needed him. Whether I needed a letter of reference, advice or a shoulder he was there for me and my entire family. He helped me become the person I am today and is the sole reason I do what I do around this community. 4 days before he passed away he called me and asked me to come up to his house. I was actually petrified because nobody wants to see someone suffering like that but once again I did what he asked. This was a man that wore a full suit everywhere he went, I never saw him not in a suit and this day he was in pajama pants. That alone was hard for me to see and I knew it wasn't good. He asked me to keep this scholarship going that day. Because he fought so hard to get it off the ground and up and running. He asked me to be a leader and fill his shoes when he is gone. I was like holy shit your kidding me right, once again I was swearing but really his shoes I did not want to try and fill. But just like the earlier story I said ok. I gave him a hug and that was the last time I spoke to him.
I can tell you this does not just go to anyone. When the committee decides on this recipient I go out to the community and do my homework to get to know these kids. This year I actually know the recipient so it was pretty easy. This young lady doesn’t have it so easy sometimes but you would never know it. I do not think in the years I have known her that I have ever seen her not smiling. As a matter of fact when she walks into a room she lights up the room and hugs everyone in it. She has volunteered an ungodly amount of hours in this community and she is absolutely amazing with children and honestly I enjoy the heck out of being around her. She actually has the biggest heart I know. I am proud to call her my friend, I am proud to call her family my friends and I will miss the heck out of her when she goes to college. If Molly grows up to be like her some day I know I did a good job as a Mom. This years Mike and Maureen Kane award goes to Mac DeVries."
I think Mike would be proud of our selection last night. I hope I can still keep filling his shoes and making him proud of me.
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