Sometimes the words we write aren’t enough to convey the tremendous weight of the emotions we feel, and so we fall back on cliches. The cliche I’m thinking of is, why do bad things happen to good people? Two bright, exuberant students started the year late at Summit Tamalpais high school as ninth graders. They made quite the splash and were able to build a strong community, form connections and demonstrate exceptional leadership skills despite the challenges that they faced in their personal lives. Those challenges kept coming, from their academic struggles, to the COVID-19 pandemic, to being evicted, and finally the worst of them all, walking into their temporary home at a hotel and finding their father had passed while they were out playing basketball.

I do not think anyone deserves to go through what these two young learners have gone through, but I especially do not think they deserve it. These young people have shown up everyday to school despite the challenges they face, and they bring joy to everyone they see. They are the face of positivity despite hardship. I cannot even begin to imagine how I would deal with what they are going through, but I know that they do it with the grace of champions.

It is with a heavy heart that we are asking for your time and consideration for donations to help with the funeral costs and relocation costs for these absolutely deserving students who have been through so much. Anything you can contribute will be greatly appreciated.