Max was a student who graduated 8th grade in 2017 (I believe) who made a lasting impression on his classmates, teachers and staff. He always had a smile and a kind word to say to everyone. Apparently they did a Be Like Max Day and had the entire school pretty much decked out in shirts to support and honor Max.
When Max left Carl Traeger Middle School, a Be Like Max award was created to honor 1 to 2 special students each year who embodied the best qualities of Max: kindness, caring and empathy. The recipients are chosen by the entire staff, and they chose AJ.
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| Look at my good human! |
AJ's literacy teacher gave a beautiful speech on why AJ was selected for this award, and I'm so darn proud of this kid. While I gave him a bit of crap about his teacher joking about what his parents do to raise such a helpful kid and said perhaps it was really our acceptance speech, it's all AJ.
No doubt, being Teddy's big brother plays a role in AJ being a kind, caring and empathetic human. He's been helping since Teddy was born, doing more than most kids do to help their siblings and enduring more doctor's appointments, therapy appointments and medical trauma on behalf of his brother than many kids. He's spent 14+ years wishing for his brother to speak. (Seriously, he's asked Santa for that as a child, and it's still a wish in his heart.) He's always been so empathetic, so thoughtful and so wise beyond his years.
While we want AJ to do his best, reach his full potential and thrive academically and in the activities he chooses, being a good human matters most. At the young age of 14, he's already there.
So darn proud of this kid and can't wait to see what he continues to do in life.
