Jeleesa Levy

It is hard to put into words what all Michelle has meant to me over the time I got to know her and work with her. She was absolutely, hands down, one of the most beautiful souls I have ever had the chance of working with and getting to know. She was just so wonderful and could literally lift the energy and spirits of an entire room when she walked into it. Her smile definitely could light up anyone; it was so awesome and sincere. She was just so impactful EVERYWHERE she went! I can’t believe how lucky I am that I got to know her. It was inevitable and just apparently in God’s plan for me to meet her. Michelle and I were first connected when I took over the McEachern guard program under Jeff Harper. She really wanted to work with Jeff so she came over to MHS and then Harper left and went to Lassiter haha. So she was rather disappointed when she decided she was going to be at MHS more than Lassiter for that upcoming year. I heard all amazing things about her so I was happy that she would be joining us but little did I know how lucky I was that I was going to have her by my side. And then also that summer as I was

returning to the Troopers she reached out to Dani to let her know that she heard good things about the guard staff and she just wanted to help us out. BEST. DAYS. EVER. I am so happy that I was able to start building that relationship with her over the summer because she had such a wealth of knowledge about everything! Especially color guard of course haha but she was just so talented and amazing at everything she did. I remember we were cleaning dots one rehearsal day and she just had such a great process, I learned so much lol. One of my favorite memories of her from that summer however was when we went to Allentown and she was so excited about the Crossmen Alumni tent so that she could see all of her friends and just have fun reuniting with some people. We were supposed to meet back up with her before warm-up….didn’t happen. She never made it there haha she was a little too intoxicated to make it in front of the children as she would later let us know haha. If anyone else would have said that it would have been totally unacceptable lol but when Michelle said it, it was absolutely hilarious, only Michelle. She was so exhilarating to be around and just such a positively infectious woman that I ALWAYS looked forward to the days that Michelle was going to be around. I can’t believe how unbelievably blessed I was that when I got home off of tour that I came home and there she was, right there with me. That was one of my hardest teaching experiences as I was having a hard time adjusting to becoming a director and she offered me so much help, guidance, and just basically mentored me throughout the year. I remember one night I called her in tears just so upset with the way things were going and just extremely down on myself and she literally pulled me out of that hole. She let me know that I really can do it and to always believe in myself because it is going to be okay. She made me believe that I was more than capable of doing the job and was there to guide me as I was learning how to handle every situation and obstacle that came my way. I don’t know if I ever got the chance to thank her for that but I

definitely want to say it now, THANK YOU SO MUCH MICHELLE for EVERYTHING YOU DID FOR ME THAT YEAR!!! And I do mean everything!!! She helped to take care of the little Indians when I was not there and I honestly believe if she would have not been there I would have completely fallen on my face. Michelle was one of my main support systems and was an integral part of the success of our students that season. I cannot believe how amazing she was with them. Michelle…you know how they are! Haha Those little Indians of mine do not take kindly to everyone, they are very particular about the people they accept into their family and looking back I believe they are so particular because they can tell when someone is honestly invested in them and what they have to offer as well as who is willing and excited to teach them and be accepting of who they are as well. I love that they

accepted Michelle with open arms as she accepted them. And I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOU FOR LOVING THEM!!! They are so special to me and I LOVE that you are just as special to them! They have nothing but wonderful things to say about you, you’ll see…you had a wonderful impact on them that I hope will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Especially Michal….he was the hardest to break the news to but I know he was your

absolute favorite and I thank you soooooooo much for inspiring that little 6th grader who has gotten SO BIG NOW, he’s in the 8th grade it’s crazy, to be himself and join the program. I’m so glad btw that our plan worked last year and we got him into the fall season as a 7th grader. That winter season btw will forever be one of my favorites, I can’t believe all of the hard work everyone put in and what YOU helped to pull out of those kids! That was all you, holding it down when I was in Ohio, and I am SO THANKFUL. Jeff you should know she pulled out her inner Jeff Sacktig and wrote the drill for the JV, she did a wonderful job! I was so proud and they were the cutest all because of her. She was really one of the best influences in my life and I asked her about everything. I would always ask her what was wrong with my body haha, and she would massage things out and feel around and just fix me right up. I loved talking to her about the celebs should would land jobs for or telling me which Atlanta falcons or hawks players she just worked on. She was the literal coolest woman ever, and such a rock star herself with that lovely purple streak of hair underneath. Michelle was just the absolute coolest person I know that always wanted the best for everyone. She never complained about anything, at least not really haha by the time we became friends, she did let me know that when she was the director at Lassiter she always felt crazy and insane and stressed out. So that’s why she enjoyed being able to just come in and tech for Nathan and others and then just go home. No stress, just fun doing what she loved. And she was SO LOVED, it’s ridiculously amazing how many people she impacted in such a positive way. Michelle I absolutely love you, and I want to say thank you for my happy birthday wish, and thank you for everything you did for me and the students. I wish we could have seen each other more over this last year even though sometimes we would just miss each other at events but I’m just so happy that I was in the room with you. There are so many things that I will strive to live on through me in how I am as a person. I can’t find the words to say goodbye so I rather say I will see you later someday. I know that you are up there smiling down on everyone with that beautiful smile with those lovely wings of yours. I am so happy to know a beautiful angel up there and I know I’ll see you again one day.

“So much of me is made of what I learned from you. You’ll be with me like a handprint on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend.”

I love you so much, and I hope that you enjoy your new found rest and peace from this world. I love you Michelle!

With the most love, Jeleesa