Elise graduates from Union Mine in 2020

Elise’s world came caving in this past January when in a few short weeks she lost both her healthy father to a unimaginable heart attack and her home and belongings to a fire. I don’t think anyone can fathom this loss.

Elise and my daughter have known each other since grade school and often played soccer together on the same team. Elise’s dad Joe, one of the kindest and most generous people you will ever know, was a friend of ours and his loss is felt deeply in our community.

Elise graduates from Union Mine this May and like most high school seniors, is READY for what is next and will be applying to several universities.

If you know Elise, you love Elise. Spunky, positive, friendly, outgoing, thoughtful and a very talented piano player and vocalist. While she’s crushed by the losses she has had to endure, she’s also looking forward to what she wants to do with her life, where she wants to do it, and how she can make a difference.

I took Elise out for a senior photography session, mostly just spend some time and to check in with her. She said she really had never had any professional photographs taken and was excited for the experience. Having lost most of her clothing in the fire, I did a mini TJ Maxx shopping trip to make sure she felt great. I have to admit it was fun to shop for a size 2/4! Clearly stunning on the outside, Elise’s beauty truly radiates from the inside. While she always seems eager to chase the light in her own life, she now is well versed in chasing it with this light ambitious photographer. Such a fun and adventurous evening.

I love these photographs of Elise and I hope that she does too. Actually, as I kept telling Elise the evening of our session, “You have SO MANY fans”! We are ALL rooting for Elise and can’t wait to see how she grabs the world in her hands and makes it a better place, just like her dad did every single day.

If like me, you’re also an “ELISE FAN”, give her a shout out here- maybe some encouraging words…It does take a village and let’s face it, senioritis is real- but we all know she’s got this!