13 Comments
User's avatar
Camden McDaris Black's avatar

What an incredible woman and beautiful tribute to her life.

Kristian Saldana's avatar

Thank you Camden! She dedicated her life to service and speaking up for those who didn’t have a voice. I am grateful for her as a teacher and mentor.

Patrick LaRose's avatar

Your reflection really speaks to the impact a single person can have on your life. You are fortunate to have had her influence. And, in your own words, never realizing what she had taught you until years later. Reading your article, it was my pleasure, through you, to learn more about her. Thank you.

Kristian Saldana's avatar

Thank you Patrick for reading this ! She has been on my mind more for the last couple of weeks. I thought this article would be a good way to honor her legacy.

Patrick LaRose's avatar

This is a beautiful tribute to her.

Yvonne ~ Off The Clock's avatar

So happy you shared your amazing experience with Sr, Laola. I am sure she positivity touched countless people throughout her life. What an awesome impactful life journey! May God bless her soul🙏🏼.

Doina Leovchin's avatar

This was a wonderful read, Kristian. She taught you to see beyond the classroom and to care for people you might never meet. It is a gift to have a teacher who stays with you for a lifetime.

Kristian Saldana's avatar

Thank you Doina ! I’m grateful for the impact she has and will continue to have on my life.

Debi Kirk's avatar

Kristian, thank you for sharing this. Sister Laola sounds like a truly remarkable person, the kind of teacher who shapes you in ways you don't fully realise until years later.

I was lucky enough to have a similar connection with one of my primary school teachers. I stayed in touch with her long after leaving school, right up until she died when I was in my twenties.

At school she used to send me to collect her newspaper and give me a few pennies for delivering it. Such a small thing, but I've never forgotten it. She also gave me a prize for diligence, which looking back meant more than I realised at the time.

Not many people are lucky enough to have that kind of connection with a teacher. I count myself fortunate that I did.

The Hironaka Award feels so fitting. That kind of steady, honest, consistent work was clearly her whole life, not just her career. You were fortunate to have her, and it sounds like she was fortunate to have students who truly appreciated her.

Kristian Saldana's avatar

Thank you Debi for reading this. And thank you for sharing your personal experience with your teacher. The prize for diligence is really thoughtful, rewarding habits and behaviors! I hope she continues to shape and influence your journey as you carry her memories. :).

Kathleen Sable's avatar

The quiet impact requires reflection -exactly like you described. Thank you for sharing this with all of us.

Kristian Saldana's avatar

Thank you Kathleen. It means a lot you read this. She lived a quiet, yet very impactful life. Her devotion to Amnesty international and speaking up for those who didn’t have a voice is and will continue to inspire me.

Cecilia Gyllencreutz's avatar

Beautifully written piece, Kristian, well worth reading and reflecting on. Truly a remarkable woman. I only wish every student could have a teacher like Sister Saola.