[posted by Luke’s dad]
I have been reading the other wonderful stories written by some of Luke’s friends. I cannot put into words how thankful I am. Those stories have reminded me about something I thought I had forgotten. Many of the stories relate how in high school Luke would just walk up to someone he has never met before and make a friend. Well, you should all know, that was not something new that Luke learned. He had been doing that since he was very young. Luke was the only new student in his 1st grade class at St Joseph School in Millbrook NY. Every other student came directly from the kindergarten (Luke had gone to a different kindergarten). So they all new each other already. They all knew the school, the teachers, the principal, etc. There was only one spot left for 1st grade that year, and we got it. In October, when Julie and I went to school for parent/teacher meetings, we met the principal of the school at the time. Her name was Mrs. Cardella. When we introduced ourselves, she said, “Oh, you are the Mayor’s parents.” We were, of course, appropriately confused. So she explained to us, “We have all dubbed Luke ‘The Mayor of St Joseph’s’. He greets everyone he sees in the hallways. He knows the name of every teacher and administrator in the school already, and just walks around all day shaking hands, and saying ‘Good morning’, and ‘Have a nice day’ to everyone he sees.”