A SCHOLARSHIP HONORING SECOND CHANCES

It’s been said that opposites attract, and that was true for Monica and me—she was a pianist, and I was a Mechanical Engineer. One day, Max asked Monica to play ‘Heart and Soul’ from Big, and she taught him his part in no time, showing the talent he had for music. It’s also been said that babies in the womb hear music and Monica practiced every day while she was pregnant. I hope this scholarship helps students better themselves—they are both dearly missed, but for them, it’s not too late.

"Monica was one of the really creative, outgoing students I had while teaching piano pedagogy at USL. She thought 'outside the box' and created materials and ideas the children—and I—loved. She also had a fun personality that drew the students close to her and could spontaneously lighten difficult situations. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her and the other young women in the pedagogy track."

"Max joined my English class as a lively and engaged student, full of energy and enthusiasm for learning. He had a playful nature and found enjoyment in fun activities, filling the classroom with love and vibrant energy that the entire class adored. He was always dreaming and caring for others, and I’ll always remember him as a kind, loving member of our society. I miss Max every day."

"Monica was a ray of sunshine and would brighten every room she entered. Her

humor was contagious and she put a smile on the face of anyone she came
across. Her musical talents were remarkable and I can still remember sitting
around listening to her renditions of many classical hits. Even though we did not
get to visit as often as I would have liked, she would always make up for it by
annoying her younger brother with her numerous pranks. She was truly one of a

kind, full of life, and will always be remembered and missed."

"Max’s passion for music was unparalleled, making silence a rare occurrence when he was around. Whether he was introducing his friends to new discoveries, sharing timeless classics like the music of Robert Johnson, or playing one of the many instruments he cherished, such as his electric guitar or his mother Monica’s acoustic guitar—he was always immersed in sound. Max had an extraordinary ability to connect with others, driven by his love for music and magnetic personality. He radiated warmth and joy during his time on Earth, leaving an indelible mark on everyone he met. The Not Too Late For Me Scholarship Fund ensures that his light continues to shine, positively impacting the lives of others, just as he did."

"Max had a way of making everyone around him feel comfortable in the room. His love for music, though untraditional, was a tool he would use to liven the mood. He loved free-styling hip hop to entertain, and those that know him best know that he had a hidden skill on the piano that was learned from his mother, Monica. One of my favorite videos of all time is one of Max and another late friend, Troy, playing the song ‘Heart and Soul’ on the piano together. They left us nearly a decade ago and the song still brings up emotions any time that I hear it. Max’s life and death made a massive impact on my life and has helped shape who I am, and I still carry his spirit with me to this day. I am grateful that his legacy will live on in the Not Too Late For Me scholarship fund."

"Monica was an extraordinary pianist. It was clear to anyone who heard her play that music was not only a talent but a deep passion for her. Her son, Max, inherited much of her musical talent, but his love for music shone just as brightly. We are deeply honored to help celebrate the memory of Monica and Max through this scholarship. Their legacy lives on in the music they created and in the lives they touched.We are deeply honored to help celebrate the memory of Monica and Max through this scholarship. Their legacy lives on in the music they created and in the lives they touched."

"I was visiting your family in North Carolina when you and your brother were young boys, probably not expecting a visitor so early in the morning. Max came into the kitchen where I was sitting, grabbed a bowl of cereal, and even offered me one. He started talking about his plans for the day, including getting his paintball gun ready and heading outside with you.

The funny thing was, he hadn’t looked closely enough to realize I wasn’t your dad. When he finally noticed, he paused and said, 'Whoa! You’re not Dad... No problem!' Two seconds later, I was part of the day’s plans, and we were all off to the woods. A good kid, and a good day."

"Max and Monica were truly wonderful people. Max was quiet and kind, with a laid-back personality, while Monica was outgoing and deeply passionate about music, especially playing the piano. I remember a trip with the family to a kazoo factory in North Carolina—we had such a great time together. Why God took them, I don’t know; He works in mysterious ways. I will always remember them as extraordinary and special individuals."

"A home filled with warmth, love, and laughter, with music always playing—there was never an occasion where music wasn’t part of the gathering, whether it was mid-week card games, the famous Sunday BBQs, or Cajun-inspired dishes served with love. Monica’s passion for music, from the fantastic beats of Zydeco and New Orleans jazz to her own piano and guitar playing, was an inspiration to her family and everyone lucky enough to know her."

"Monica and Pete came into our lives shortly after they were married and before Max and Ford were born. They became some of our closest friends. Monica’s love of music was surpassed only by her love for her family. Max inherited his mother’s love of music. She and Max are deeply missed."

"I remember becoming fast friends with the Clarks and the Sunday afternoon grilling. Their home was always full of joy and music. Mo was a master of the piano. Music and life are intertwined.  I remember our families often sat near each other at Sunday Mass. One Sunday Mass as the singing came to a stop and there was complete silence in the beautiful St Mary's century old church a squirming unhappy toddler (Ford) yelled out in the silence "I never had a good day in all my life".  As that echoed throughout the church I knew where he had heard that before. Sometimes we just have to laugh at life. May God bless Mo and Max and may this scholarship help someone in need. It is never too late."

"Monica was as good a friend as anyone could have, she was very colorful and full of life. A great mother to two sons, and a wonderful wife, she was always helpful and would also fill us up with some sort of delicious food or dessert. Max was going through his teenage years when I knew him. Like his mother, he loved music and almost always had a guitar in his hands. Strumming on that thing always seemed to make him happiest."