& Oliver

This morning I was honored to present The Waverly & Oliver Memorial Award for Kindness & Inclusion. It was a bittersweet day celebrating Oliver's sixth grade class as they complete their elementary school studies. It was heartwarming to hear the theme of kindness throughout the ceremony. Below you can find the words I shared to the students and their families.

Good morning. My name is Shannon McNeil and I am Oliver’s mom.

Oliver started school at Vienna Elementary School in 2010. He spent two years in preschool and then joined many of you in kindergarten. For nine years we have called VES home. 

Four years ago, we created an award called The Waverly McNeil Memorial Award for Kindness & Inclusion. From this year forward, it will be called the Waverly & Oliver McNeil Memorial Award. Each year teachers and staff select a sixth grader who exemplifies the definition of kindness. This student sees the beauty and value in all people, seeing ability not disability.

Most of you have been in classes with Oliver. In third grade you became reading buddies and signed up to read him some of his favorite books, including anything starring Dora and Peppa Pig. You wore purple for MPS Awareness Day. You celebrated Inclusion Week. You made space for him during morning meetings and offered support as his PE buddy.

At the beginning of this school year, Oliver became too sick to attend, so you brought school to him. You made videos of yourselves reading books.

And when he died, you filled the sixth grade hallway with purple hearts and signs, creating a visual reminder that a classmate you loved was missed.

Thank you for loving Oliver. For being his friend. For seeing him as a fellow classmate. For facing any fears or apprehension you had. It is my hope that you will continue to spread kindness as you move on to middle school.

When the 6th grade team was asked to nominate a student for the award, they wanted to pick a student who truly embodies the meaning of the word kind. Without hesitation, Lucy Griepentrog immediately came to their minds. 

Throughout the year she has read stories to our students, drew pictures with them, gave high fives in the hallway, encouraged them to be part of her groups, and helped during field day. She has made them feel welcomed and included in every activity. She is a positive role model to all students and promotes mindfulness in the school setting. She is friendly, tender-hearted, generous, and shows consideration to all of her peers and teachers. Lucy is a student who appreciates and accepts the differences in other people. She is inclusive, courteous, respectful and is willing to help anyone in need. She is a friend to everyone.

Congratulations, Lucy!