Andrew's "Graduation" Year

From Ali:

6 years ago yesterday, the Salesianum School Class of 2010 graduated. 4 years earlier, a blonde curly-haired 13 year old walked into his new high school excited for the friends he would make, sports he would play, and things he would learn over the next four years. That curly-haired boy never could've imagined the challenges he would face just four months later. That curly-haired boy is our Andrew.

In January of Andrew's freshman year of high school, he attended a school dance on a Friday, played in a soccer tournament over the weekend, and was in cardiac arrest on Monday with a diagnosis of Leukemia. That fast. His life changed forever.

Since his diagnosis, Andrew was never able to leave the hospital. His school's principal, Fr. Bill, and other priests from Salesianum School were regular visitors in Andrew's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit room. Salesianum School's motto - "Take hold and never let go" - rang true as the young men rallied around their Salesian brother - a freshman who many hadn't even met yet. A notebook was placed in the cafeteria for students to send messages to Andrew. A Prayer of Healing was said for Andrew between classes each day and students shaved their heads for Andrew.

While we were in the hospital, Andrew found out he made Principal's List with a 4.092 GPA. He was so proud, as he had made it his goal to make Principal's List.

July 14, 2007, Andrew passed away in his sister Ali's arms. His Visitation was held at Salesianum. While the hours were set from 7-9pm, we never imagined the support we would receive. Family, friends and "friends we hadn't met yet", started lining up at 5:30pm. The line of people wishing to express their condolences to the McDonoughs weaved through the hallways of the school and out the front door. The line didn't end until 11:30pm and we were so touched that so many wished to honor Andrew.

The following day, over 2,000 people, many in B+ shirts, packed into the Salesianum School gymnasium for Andrew's Celebration of Life. People who followed his story on CaringBridge flew in and drove in from other states, to let us know that he touched their lives. It was a tough, but memorable day.

Four years later and it was time for the Class of 2010 to graduate... in that same gymnasium where Andrew's Celebration of Life was held. Andrew's friends had grown into young men - Salesian Gentlemen - and they were ready to take on the world. But our world had stopped. Our 'world' wasn't sitting on the bleachers with those same friends in their white dinner jackets.

Salesianum School presented Andrew McDonough's diploma to Joe, Chris, and Ali McDonough during the graduation ceremony (pictured below) that night. Living their motto - "Take hold and never let go" - Andrew started high school with the Class of 2010 and was recognized at graduation alongside them.

Andrew was proud to be a Salesian.

Today, let's take a lesson from St. Francis de Sales. It's a lesson Andrew took seriously and strived to live each day: "Be who you are and be that well."