In Memory of Trevor

    This past week, Central lost one of its bravest, and smallest, citizens.  Just-turned-11 years old Trevor Sims did not have many years on this earth, but he touched the lives of literally thousands.  Diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer, at age 5, Trevor courageously fought through pain and treatments and still took time to think about his neighbors. Remembering what it was like to be hungry himself, he wished to help the Food Bank provide meals for other children, because, as he said, "Nobody else should have to go hungry." A food drive was held in Baton Rouge in his honor, but when the Student Council of Central High School heard about his wish, they wanted to do something more. 

    Students went into local businesses, asking for donations, and sold t-shirts printed with "I helped make Trevor's wish come true." They sold over 1000 t-shirts, and are ordering more.  In the end, over $16,000.00 was raised for Trevor's Wish, with donations coming from all over Central, including all 5 of our public schools and Central Private School.  According to Student Council President  Ashton Kennedy, who befriended Trevor throughout this effort, this donation is enough to provide 83,000 meals to hungry folks.  Yes, 83,000.  Trevor’s wish does not end here: The CHS student body plans to repeat this drive to feed the hungry each year in memory of Trevor.

    I remember a scene from one of the Lord of the Rings movies where Galadriel, queen of the elves, tells Frodo, the very small Hobbit hero, "Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."  We tend to downplay the impact we might have on the world around us.  Yet each of us has special gifts, a special outlook, a special experience that no one else can offer, something that has the potential of being life changing for someone.  Each of us has been on the receiving end of something like that, something that meant everything to us. The generosity of Trevor and the dedication of our young people have especially underscored the truth of this statement.  We tend to think that our lives stretch endlessly before us, that there will always be tomorrow to reach out to our neighbor.  Trevor understood the importance of "seizing the day." As he told a reporter for ABC news, "You can make a difference everyday just by helping someone who is getting bullied or helping someone cross the street." 

    Think what our city could be if each of us put our neighbor before ourselves.  If kindness and generosity were our daily guidelines.  If sending an encouraging word or note were given priority.  If we spoke only what was helpful and edifying.  We have seen what Central can do when it pulls together, and communities like Chalmette can attest to it.  What if we lived every day as if it were our last?  Couldn't Central become that "city set on a hill", that "light in the darkness"? 

    The Friday before he died, Trevor made a surprise visit to Central High School for a pep rally.  Though in terrible pain, he put on his game face and smiled for the crowd.  He knew that their amazing effort had taken place because of his last wish. Ashton shared, "Trevor knew where he was going, and he wanted to make the biggest difference before he left." Why don't we keep his legacy alive by doing exactly that.