In Zoey Felix's difficult last year of life, this Topeka preschool was her one refuge
In the room of many colors, there was a teacher and a hug — a warm embrace to welcome to a place to learn and have fun.
Here is where Zoey Felix began to dream and to take herself away, to a world of promise and hope, and a better life someday.
Everyone in the preschool shined in Zoey’s beaming light, said classroom para Sasha Camacho. How could you not?
“She was one of our tallest kids and sometimes accidentally knocked others down,” Camacho remembered with a laugh. “But she was the first to pick them up.”
Sometimes she’d sneak in a “stuffie” — a plush animal so she wouldn’t be alone. In fact, it was more like a classroom friend that she could bring along back home.
In the rainbow classroom at Shaner, preschoolers looked at the family wall, to see photos of parents, brothers and sisters. Zoey could look to her teachers and classmates instead. She didn’t need any pictures.
The whole school family kept her clean and clothed, safe and sound. She knew who to run to for a Band-Aid when she scraped her knee on the playground.
After nearly a year of hard work in class, Zoey learned shapes. She learned colors. She learned letters.
She learned love.
“She knew that when she was with us, she was safe,” Camacho said. “She was loved.”
When the spring came and Zoey only came to school some days, she looked to her teachers for help with her big feelings, knowing that tomorrow at school was always so far away.
One day came the last hug and goodbye, and for reasons we don't yet fully understand, Zoey's caregivers stopped taking assistance from those who wanted to lend a helping hand.
After spring break, Zoey never returned to preschool, or any classroom for that matter. She lived the last few weeks of her life far away from home, or at least from those who loved her.
Her classmates are now kindergartners. Her teachers mold new minds. The next crop of preschoolers is learning there, getting the best start on the beginnings of their lives.
God willing, though — and surely he endeavors — sweet loving Zoey is forever there, in the room of many colors.
Rafael Garcia is an education reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached at rgarcia@cjonline.com or by phone at 785-289-5325. Follow him on Twitter at @byRafaelGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Zoey Felix was sweet, silly and kind as a Topeka preschooler
