11/07/2025
October was a heavy month.
Not only because it’s the month I lost my two sweet boys, 27 days apart, two years ago.
But also because of the heartbreaking news I received last week— one of my beloved high school teachers suddenly passed away.
Mr. Noel Nuñez was a mentor to many, a true believer of good, and a light of admiration for everyone around him.
I graduated high school in 2009. Throughout the years we kept in touch as I navigated college and then during my professional career.
During my 21st birthday celebration, I even ran into him in Las Vegas while walking down the strip one night. So random, but such a delight.
A couple of years later he invited me to be the keynote speaker for the Deming Cesar Chavez Charter High School graduation, where he’d been the principal for several years.
He believed my background, upbringing, and determination to pursue my dreams could be an inspiration to his students—who just like me— grew up in a small town with humble beginnings and not many monetary resources to get ahead.
Unfortunately, because of work commitments, I couldn’t accept.
Then last year he reached out again, still believing in me— in the value of my story and what spark of inspiration I could ignite in his graduating class.
Thankfully, this time, my schedule was wide open and I said yes. I was excited to see him again and reconnect, since the last time I’d seen him in person was that night in Vegas back in 2013.
Seeing him last May was like we’d just seen each other the day before. Not just because of how comfortable it was to speak to him like you would your best friend, but because despite the decades that had passed since he was my teacher, he was still very passionate to help others, just like how committed he was to help us back in the day.
Throughout his life Mr. Nunez touched and changed so many lives. Mine was definitely one of them. His dedication to be there for others is unmatched and he will be greatly missed.
Cheers to all the amazing teachers out there ❤️
Swipe to see just how amazing he was.