The first time I heard about Des it was from Mr. O'Gorman. He informed me that "there is a girl in grade 10 who LOVES baseball". I was very intrigued. With apologies to Cherish and Dion, there are basically NO kids at King George who like baseball. I decided I needed to meet this student. I believe it was Ms. Sidhu who finally introduced the two of us and we have not stopped talking about the best team in professional sports (Go Blue Jays!!) ever since!
One of the things I love most about Des is the importance that she places on family. In fact, her love for baseball was born out of an attempt to remember and honour her late grandfather. So sweet! This is far from the only example, however. The way that she speaks of her parents and her sister (the fabulous Cynthia!) is always with great fondness and pride.
And it's not just HER family that is important to Des. I remember her MYP project on Adoption in Canada. It was clear that adoption is a topic that Des cares a great deal about, not just because SHE is adopted but because she wants children and families EVERYWHERE to be happy and healthy.
I also admire Des a great deal for the sort of student she is. She works so very hard. She is responsible and reliable. When she suffers setbacks with her math (as we all do from time to time) she refocuses, recommits, and gets back on track. She is not one to complain or whine. Truly a fabulous student!
Des, we have spent so much time talking together over the past few years (not ALL of it about baseball). Thanks for all the laughs, all the fascinating statistics, all the passion which you bring to life. You truly are a special person. I definitely have "seeing a professional baseball game with Des T" on my bucket list of things to do in the coming years! I love ya lots and will miss you so much next year! Go Jays and Go Des!!