7 minute read
Dads & Grads: Sam & Rachel
Born in 2006, the grads of 2024 are already a hardy lot. Their birth year was marked by extreme wind storms in coastal BC, Pluto lost its status as a planet, and the giant squid – once thought to be just a cryptid – was finally recorded off the coast of Japan.
They endured the financial crisis of 2008 as toddlers, the Deepwater Horizon exploded while they were in preschool, Fukushima melted down when they were in Kindergarten. Then COVID, atmospheric storms, heat domes...
Through all this chaos, dads have demonstrated to their kids how to navigate the world with hope, humour, and humility.
This year, two grads are directly attached to the small staff at qL: associate publisher Sean Percy’s youngest child, Ella, graduates from Brooks. So does editor Pieta Woolley’s firstborn, David.
We asked a few of this year’s dads and grads about life with each other. What came back was surprising: even when you don’t think they’re paying attention, boy are they ever attuned.
Here’s to the dads and grads of 2024.
Sam Alescio, 44, is the Lead Pastor at Living Water Foursquare Church. He can often be found disc-golfing, at the CrossFit gym, or with family and friends.
Rachel Alescio, 18, says she is “so happy to have graduated; bring on adulthood. My family tells me I was ready to take on the world when I was a toddler, and nothing has changed since!”
Grad to Dad
What do you remember about your dad, from when you were in Kindergarten?
Grad Rachel • He’s always loved hugs. And nothing makes you feel more special than someone being SO excited to see you. My dad was always excited to see me after school, with so many questions, and the biggest hug I would let him give me. That’s what I remember most!
What’s your best memory of your dad, from your teen years?
Grad Rachel • I love summers with my dad. Beach days are always filled with more laughter than activities and that’s exactly how I like them. We tried to start an every week swimming challenge one summer, with the plan of going through the winter, we definitely ended the challenge in September… but I love that I got to have that time with him.
How is he unlike other dads?
Grad Rachel • My dad has always put time into my interests. I don’t know if that’s different than other dads, but it sure is special to me. He joined the gym with me, he started running, he bought me all the disc golf discs I wanted, and he always remembers the new thing I’m doing. I’m sure if I asked, he’d do just about anything with me.
What do you think your dad was like when he was in Grade 12?
Grad Rachel • I’m sure he brightened up every room, because he tends to do that. He makes some of the best (and worst) jokes so I’m sure there was laughter! His grades weren’t as good as mine, which I know for a fact, but I guarantee you by Grade 12 he was trying his best!
What has your dad taught you about life, so far?
Grad Rachel • My dad has taught me to live with humility. As soon as someone comes along who is better in an area than him, he’s quick to encourage them in that role. His willingness to empower the people around him has taught me that there is beauty in seeing other people walk out their passions, even if you aren’t quite living your own yet.
What do you plan to do, over the next five years or so?
Grad Rachel • Well I’m trying not to over plan or hold on too tightly… but for now I hope to take Bible college courses while working at the church I grew up in! I hope to stay in Powell River a little longer, I really love it here. And then I think the opportunities are endless! I’m excited, and a little impatient, to see the plans that God has for my life.
How do you plan to keep your dad in your life?
Grad Rachel • He can’t get rid of me very easily… so I plan on calling him lots! Especially because I’ve never had to fill my car with gas… one day he’ll have to do it with me rather than for me! And then I’ll take every coffee date he texts me for, I’ll be in the car for every errand he wants help with, and I love walking with him. He’s always the one to tell me how proud he is of what I’m doing, he pushes me and he makes me better. So I don’t plan on taking our relationship for granted ‘cause I’ll always need someone in my life to bug me!
Dad to Grad
What do you remember most about your grad when they were in Kindergarten?
Dad Sam • Rachel was already super independent. Her very first day she went marching up the stairs to Edgehill School leaving Mom and Dad in her dust. She loved school so much that almost everyday after school she would set up her own classroom in her room teaching away at her stuffies.
What qualities does your grad get from you?
Dad Sam • I feel like Rachel is miles ahead of me! Rachel is an excellent communicator, has a deep passion for helping people, and has an excellent sense of humour!
What were you like in Grade 12?
Dad Sam • I was just starting to get comfortable with who I am and completely unsure about my future. I knew I wanted to help people; I really just didn’t know how and as excited as I was to be done with high school, thinking of my future was terrifying.
What did you do in the following five years of graduation?
Dad Sam • I went to school, changed programs, graduated from college, and got engaged to my wife!
What do you hope for your Grad, over the next five years?
Dad Sam • Wow, I honestly don’t have any specific expectations. My hope is that Rachel would continue to grow in confidence. That she would be confident in who she is, and her purpose. My hope is that she would make her own path, that traditional boundaries wouldn’t hold her back, that every “you can’t do that” would turn into “look at her go!”
What will you miss most about your grad, after they move on to their next stage in life?
Dad Sam • I’m going to miss just having Rachel around. I’m going to miss seeing her in the kitchen baking, or hanging out in her room listening to music. I’m going to miss just seeing her around my life. Probably most of all I’m going to miss Rachel’s laugh. We laugh a lot together and I really don’t like thinking about the times I won’t be able to laugh with her in person.
What are you most proud of your grad for?
Dad Sam • Normally when people think of being proud of someone it usually follows an accomplishment. And honestly Rachel has a long list of accomplishments, from grades to goals being met. But I would have to say I’m most proud of who Rachel is. I’m proud of her deep sense of justice, for her love of people and for her natural ability to care for those around her. I’m proud of her strength. A lot of things didn’t come easy for Rachel, and in her young age she has already overcome a lot and I know that she will continue to overcome. I always tell my daughters that my ceiling is their floor, and Rachel is already making that true!
