My Tribute to Nashika Rogers (1986-2006)

Nashika Rogers (1986-2006)

As the end of the school year approaches, I wanted to make a tribute to a special person that has had an enormous impact on my life and my decision to choose a career teaching special education. This person is my god-sister, Nashika Rogers.

The picture below is of Nashika and I.

Although Nashika never spoke a word, she made a tremendous impact on my life. Growing up with her, she taught me determination and unconditional love. I will forever cherish the moments that we spent together. Nashika passed away on June 6th 2006. It was the hardest time in my life and I was unsure of how myself and my family would function without her. However, I have made the decision to live out her legacy by giving my all to the students that I teach. I will cherish every moment that I spend with them and show them the same unconditional love that she showed me. I will be determined to teach them to the best of my ability so that they will leave my classroom with a postive attitude, knowing that I care about them, and knowing that I gave them my all. I am a true believer that people are placed in our lives for a certain purpose or reason. Nashika changed my life and because of her I will strive to be a better person altogether!

The picture below is of my mom and Nashika the year that they met at Ficquett Elementary.

The following is the tribute that my mom wrote and read a Nashika's funeral service:

"My name is Allison and I am so blessed to be Nashika's god-mother. I began working at Ficquett Elementary in the fall of 1994 and on the first day of school in walked a petite little girl with a big smile and the longest eyelashes I had ever seen. Her name was Nashika Rogers. I instantly thought that she was the most beautiful girl, besides my own, that I had ever seen. During that year she, of course, became a teacher's pet and began coming home with me on the weekend's, then during summers, and spending Christmas with our family.

When I think of Nashika I am reminded of when we would call her the great pianist. She would sit at the piano, her tiny hands would pick one key and keep a beat that sounded like a beautiful song. She was also a great hair stylist. She was constantly trying to braid and unbraid her hair with those tiny fingers. You could fix her hair and she would pull it out before you could turn around. Last but not least, she was a big kidder. She would try to trick you by just sitting at the table until you fed her with a spoon but when she thought you weren't looking she would shovel it in spoon fulls at a time. We all knew she had limitations but when she was determined she would get it done.

Nashika never spoke a word but she definitely knew how to communicate with you. If she needed something, you would either get a big pinch on the arm or a slap on the backside. On the weekends when she came to our house I knew the pantry better be stocked with a big bag of Cheetos, sliced cheese, and a bag of cookies.

I always said that even though Nashika was non-verbal she touched more people than we will ever know. Her family, friends, teachers, those that knew her through Special Olympics, and people we would meet on the street will forever be touched by her.

To Melinda, Bernard, Desmon, Ieshia, Nay, Granny, Pop, and all of her family I just thank you for sharing Nashika with us. Kent, Kim, Kelli, Cassandra, and myself will forever be grateful for the times we spent with her. We know that we all share memories of her that will forever be in our hearts.

In closing I would like to share a part of a poem by an unknown author that Nashika would probably say to us all today:

"If tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see. If the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me.

When tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand, that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand.

So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart. For every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart."