Remembering Jadzia at the Class of 2023 graduation

Josh and Yoli stand with Jossie after the graduation ceremony.

Tonight was a bittersweet milestone for us: the STEAM Academy High School class of 2023’s graduation. We were excited to see Jadzia’s friends and classmates receive their diplomas, particularly her dear friend Jossie who was a valedictorian.

Jadzia and Jossie were part of the small cohort of PROBE students who founded the STEAM program in Ferguson-Florissant when they were in 6th grade. They were the first to go all through middle school and high school at the STEAM academies. Jadzia cherished that 6th grade experience, and she made so many good friends in the years that followed. She died in her sleep in June 2020, after her freshman year.

Tonight, the school included Jadzia — and our family — in the ceremony. Yoli and I walked the stage in her memory. They even gave us a cap and gown. We are so grateful that they remembered her and honored her in this way.

I wish so deeply we could have seen her go on to do the sorts of great things that I’m sure her classmates will do. I can’t help but grieve that she wasn’t able to cross that stage herself.

But the flame of her memory lives on in the hearts of her friends and family. I’m glad it got to shine out brightly for a few moments tonight. I’m sure that she was applauding like we were, proud of all that her friends have accomplished in the three years since she left us.

Here’s a video from our part of the ceremony:

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