It was August 2,1992 that I started my relationship with St. Austin.
29 years ago! Wow … time has flown by! I remember driving a U-Haul up to the school and thinking it is so hot here in Austin … what did I do? But I began my journey anyway and have never looked back! Well, except maybe for my UTEP Miners.
When I heard about the plan to develop our space into something new, I thought, well, I have heard that before. But the more I heard about it and talked with my BABY brother, Christopher, I thought … wow, this could really happen!
I had such mixed feelings at first. So MUCH of my life has happened here within these buildings. How could I see it all demolished and made into something new and shiny? The more I looked back at my life since 1992, I realize the importance of the relationships here not the buildings we gathered in.
Not knowing many people in this city, the teachers at St. Austin took me under their “Eagle” wings and showed me the ropes of teaching in a Catholic school. Some of those teachers are still very close friends of mine. They celebrated with me when I brought Rose and Melisa home, cried with me when my mom died, and have supported me through the ups and downs of life. I continue to work with amazing and dedicated people who truly love this community. Not the buildings … but the community.
I became a teacher because of the kids. I have taught A LOT of kids. So much so that some of those kids now have their own children that I am teaching. They really don’t have to call me Miss Kennedy anymore! And I haven’t aged a bit! The best part is when the alumni come back and check in. They remember the times that made their life so special here. The Saints and the Guardian Angel Masses, the Advent Cantatas, the retreats, the Halloween Hoots and Haunted Houses, the sporting events, looking for a little shade on the blacktop, the graduations, etc. Their time on our campus meant a lot to them. These chats were always about the moments we shared, not about the buildings where it happened.
Through the students I have met awesome parents who want only the best for their children. Parents who sacrifice to send their kids here, drive them to games, watch over their grades, volunteer at school events, head committees just to make the school better. I used to always tell new parents that we may not have all the bells and whistles that the other schools in the diocese have, but it is what’s inside our hearts that is going to make a difference in their child’s life.