Katherine Rinderle

We don’t really know how to write this. On May 22nd, Ashley Scott lost his youngest son, Amir, in a car accident. Amir was 23 years old, and had recently moved back home to live with Ashley. Amir was smart, kind, compassionate, and hilarious (just like his dad), and had his whole life ahead of him. For those of you who may not know, Amir also attended Midtown International School and made an impact on so many in our Lynx community. We are devastated and gutted, and we know so many of you are too. Those of us who know Ashley know he is someone who has spent his life showing up for others, no matter what. He has opened doors and cooked meals for families and colleagues, created safety where there was none, and poured himself out for children and communities who needed someone in their corner. He did it quietly and with his whole heart. Dr. Munib Rezaie, a longtime MIS parent and dear friend, captured who Ashley is in a way we couldn’t improve on. We’ll let his words speak for themselves: “This man. Who sacrificed more than anyone in this room will ever know to make sure every single student was seen, heard, and loved. Times of crisis are prone to bringing out people’s true colors, and if that’s not an indication of who this man is through and through, I don’t know what is.” Right now, Ashley is carrying more than any one person should have to hold. Alongside his grief, he is facing financial hardship that is just as crushing. He recently lost his job when Midtown International School abruptly closed, leaving him with no cushion beneath him. Through no fault of his own, he now faces financial obligations that would overwhelm anyone, and on top of all of it, he has to figure out how to lay his son to rest. The ground has fallen out from under him, in every direction, all at once. Now it’s our turn to show up for him. This community exists because of people like Ashley, and he needs us now. Whatever you give will go toward Amir’s funeral and burial costs, and toward giving Ashley breathing room during one of the most devastating seasons of his life, so he doesn’t have to face the weeks ahead alone and without any ground beneath him. If you’ve ever been held by community in a dark time, you know what it means. Ashley needs that now. If you know Ashley, you know how deeply he loved Amir. You know how much Amir was loved. And you know how deeply Ashley is loved too. Right now he is navigating the days ahead holding onto memories and trying to find a way forward. Let’s show him he doesn’t have to walk through this alone. Thank you for making sure of that, and for holding Ashley and Amir in your thoughts.