The Norte Vista High School family suffered a major loss on Aug. 18 with the passing of Mary Young.  Young, who primarily taught French but also taught choir at one time, was beginning her 36^th year at NoVi.  She began teaching here in September of 1973.

   Young, a past Teacher of the Year at NoVi, was also very active on the School Site Council and the Leadership Committee as well as being chair of the Foreign Language Department.  But she was much more than a teacher to many on campus.

 

  To some teachers and staff she was a close friend.  To foreign language teachers from schools across the country and the world she was a great resource for teaching information through conversations on the internet.  To a number of her students she was a reason to look forward to coming to school.

  "Her impact was just magnificent," said art teacher Diane Gritton-Maughan, a close friend.  "She was a true educator, always making sure everyone was learning and trying and doing their very best.  She was a fabulous teacher and a brilliant woman."

 

  NoVi counselor Victoria Anderson echoed the sentiments. 

  

  "We had interesting conversations," Anderson said.  "We were on opposite sides of the political spectrum, so the talks could be loud.  We spoke about movies, we talked about school, we laughed."

  Anderson said one of the things she most remembers is Young’s help when Anderson was a first-year teacher.

  "She helped me with projects for the kids," Anderson said.  "She understood that I liked to be creative in the classroom (and) she was never judgmental.            

  "Mary was a wealth of information.  (She was) creative, warm, inviting, and she always was ready to offer help or give a solution to a challenge.  I cannot begin to tell you how I will miss her."



  Anderson is not alone.

             

  "Mary was an exceptional teacher," said counselor Cheryl Gilleland.  "She is irreplaceable.  She was gifted and talented and her students loved her."

  That is partly because she was willing to do things differently rather than stick to a routine.             

  

  "One of my favorite memories was hearing Mary (through our walls) singing French songs to her students while strumming the guitar," said English teacher Diane Walker.

  Young played the piano, guitar, flute and ukulele.  Besides French and English, she also spoke Spanish and Arabic and was learning Portuguese.  She took a number of trips to France with students as part of the Foreign Study League.            

  English teacher Kathy Knight was a close friend of Young’s.             

  "I frequently had lunch with Mary and on the days I was upset about things happening at school or personally I could tell her and she would comfort me," Knight said.  "She knew grammar backwards and forwards so she was a great sounding board when I had a question about grammar.  When she and I were on the school site council together I was always impressed by her ability to get to the heart of the proposed expenditure and help guide the group to a fair and equitable solution.  She had no hidden agenda, just a strong sense of what was right and just and best for the students.             

  "This year Mary wasn’t sure that she wanted to do the French Club and all it took was a couple of students that wanted her as the advisor and she promptly took on the responsibility.  Mary did very little for herself.  She thought mainly of others.  I have an empty spot in my heart for the friendship I cherish and will miss."

  Young also had a big impact on her students.  After the news of her passing, this year’s classes were given the assignment of writing a letter to her or her family.  The responses were very heartfelt.             

  "I can’t believe you’ve left us," wrote Kathy Alvarado.  "I miss you already.  When I found out this news, it felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest.  I don’t know how to react to the news.              

  "I’m in the class, and I can’t stop crying, because every time I stare at something in your classroom I begin crying, because everything in this class reminds me of you.  I stare at your guitar and it reminds me of the songs you taught us.  I came in the class and immediately I threw away my gum, because it doesn’t feel right to not follow the rules, even though you might be gone."

  Wrote Ashlee Bell: "You have made such a dramatic impact on my life.  I am so extremely grateful for getting the most wonderful opportunity as having you as my French teacher.  I wouldn’t have chosen anyone else.  You inspired me to do so many different things I would have never thought twice of doing.  

  "Every day when I was at home, I tried to use French as much as possible and I always told myself that I wanted to become a French teacher just like you because you have opened my eyes to a whole other world.  Your absence in the room is like a world without its sun.  You will always have a place in my heart."            

  Wrote Priscilla Cardona: "There was never a time when I didn’t see Ms. Young smiling … she was just such a great teacher and always wanted us to be on track.  I feel blessed and absolutely thankful for having her as a teacher.  We will always love and remember you, Ms. Young!  Au revoir Ms. Young."

           

  Wrote Eric Estrada: "I know that you’re something that this world can’t replace because no one did things exactly like you.  Though this was sudden, I hope you’re enjoying heaven.  When I said bye to you on Monday, I didn’t know that would be the first time you’d go to paradise and the last time we would physically see you.  Our hearts will remember you the way you needed to be seen: as a brilliant teacher and a second mother."            

  There were a number of touching letters and poems from students.  To read more excerpts, see the story that accompanies this one.