I still remember her sitting at the front of the classroom, ready to learn even in the early morning first period Algebra I class when most students were struggling to wake up for the long school day ahead. Iris Garza was serious, attentive, determined and even then I knew that she was going to do great things with her life.
I eventually transitioned from being a teacher to becoming the Dean of Faculty but I still wanted contact with the students. I gained that honor by becoming the faculty leader of the Class of 2010 at KIPP Houston High School. I would spend four years following the members of that group as they slowly but surely grew in wisdom, age and grace. I got to know each young person quite well as they matured into young adults ready to take on the world in a multitude of different ways. Iris did not surprise me at all in becoming the Valedictorian of the Class of 2010 and earning a scholarship to attend Syracuse University. It was a bold move for a young woman from a school with a graduating class of only around one hundred students to travel to upstate New York, but Iris was always courageous and willing to tackle any challenges that came her way.
She kept in touch with me during her freshman year of college, often using Facetime to make it a video call. She was obviously dedicated to her studies and sometimes appeared to be very tired but I saw that spark of determination in her eyes and I heard it in her voice. I knew that she was in a long game and that she would never give up.
Four years later in May 2014, Iris invited me to her graduation and of course I was honored to attend. She graduated with honors just as I expected and I was overjoyed to see how happy she was and how much she had matured. She introduced me to a young man named James that she had been dating and somehow I felt the the two of them were destined to travel through life together.
Life really did happen for both of them after that. Iris stayed the course in continuing her education, working and studying to reach her next goal. I heard less and less from her but members of her family kept me apprised of her progress. All the while James was in medical school and Iris was inching closer and closer to earning a PhD.
I was delighted when I heard from Iris out of the blue. She announced that she and James were getting married and she wanted me to come to the wedding. Of course I was as excited and as honored as I would have been for one of my own daughters or grandchildren. Iris was one of those very special people who had left a mark on my heart and I would have traveled anywhere to honor her, but the wedding was going to be in Houston so I only had to go down the road a bit to get there.
It was an elegant affair with everyone dressed in formalwear. People had traveled from all over the country and the world to celebrate with the bride and groom. Words of high praise for each of them floated through the room. Then came the moment when they were to be joined together.
The minister had counseled them for months and noted the ever present kindness of James and the never faltering courage of Iris. He assured us all that they were a thoughtful couple who would be incredible partners together. Of course those of us who knew them had no doubt that theirs will be a strong relationship with a foundation of unselfish love for each other and for God.
The celebration of Dr. Garza and Dr. Osei-Sarpong was one of admiration and love for two incredible young people who exemplify the best in the human spirit. Their journey together started when they were studying in the library at Syracuse and only grew as they achieved the goals that had pushed them to be the very best of themselves. Somehow they knew that being together will make them even more remarkable. Their kindness and courage is now doubled and with their knowledge and compassion they will do wonderful things in this world.
I left the wedding celebration with my heart bursting with pride. I am humbled to have played a tiny part in Iris’s story and now I send my best wishes to her and to James as they embark on a new and exciting journey together. May God be with them every step of the way.
All It Takes Is A Little Love 