Each of us mourns a loss in our own way. If you would like to make your thoughts or feelings known in this public forum, please email them to Mr. Goffman: goffmanteacher@gmail.com.
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| Erica Jordan |
During the 2011-2012 school year,
Erica was staff writer for The Torch. Her inquisitive nature and heartfelt
search for justice led her to write stories about triumph and struggle. She
partnered with Nicole Fattorusso, STEM freshman, to write about STEM senior
Amir Budhai who was accepted to Columbia University. I still remember her
excitedly saying, “That can’t be. He’s only 15.” She returned from the
interview enthusiastic and ready to write the front-page story.
Dedicated to her work in
journalism, Erica would frequently spend her lunch period in the Journalism
lab. Sometimes she would finish her work; other times she would Google random
facts and ask our opinion on the latest controversy. When the Trayvon Martin
case hit the media, Erica read countless articles, opinions and worked hard on
formulating her own thoughts on the case of alleged racial profiling. Always fighting for the underdog, she wrote an
opinion piece for The Torch that reminded readers to remember all the shooting
victims. I can only imagine her reaction to the Newtown, CT. massacre.
As I reflect on Erica’s energy and
vivaciousness, I picture her sitting at her computer, forever fighting with her
to remove the ear buds. “But I concentrate better,” she would always say.
Sometimes she would be moving to the music, wrapped up in her world.
But in the end, Erica did her work
and did it with excellence.
In September, I had my final
conversation with Erica. She came to the journalism lab asking to be part of
the Journalism III class. I knew something wasn’t right. She told me she had
difficulty breathing and wasn’t feeling well. She was going to see her guidance
counselor about changing her schedule to take journalism.
Then I heard that she had lapsed
into a coma and I would not see that beautiful smile in my class again. When I
learned of her passing, I shed tears at the life cut short. But, I began to
collect her stories, student reflections of her life and finally, I wrote my
own. In the end, we celebrate a life well lived, a life that touched others
with compassion, thoughtfulness and love. Those of us who knew Erica are
enriched by good memories. All of us are reminded of the brevity of life and
the importance of making it count.
Lories Nye-Slockbower
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of Erica Jordan I think of the beautiful, vivacious and wonderful person she was, thinking how she would just talk to me like she had known me for years but its been near two years since I met Erica ( E or Shop girl ) some of her friends would call her. We were not that close but friends nonetheless. The first time she met me we were sitting by each other in journalism class. She would compliment me -- I didn't know what to think: was she weird, sarcastic or that nice. After seeing how she took pride in doing good in school, I knew she was serious. -Osheen Harris
Erica was an out-going, intelligent and spirited young woman. I did not have her as a student, but I knew her because she was in Ms. Nye's journalism class and would often hang out in the lab during her lunch. She was so inquisitive, constantly asking questions about any and everything. She was also extremely opinionated but never rude or disrespectful in asserting her opinions, just strong.
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