Greetings! 
 

     So many things come to my mind when June comes. The year is half over. My birthday is in June which means another year of my life has passed. It is also graduation time, which means a chapter in the lives of the young adults finishing high school is coming to an end. But a blessing in endings is that we get to reflect.

     This June, I am reflecting on some of the young girls that have come in to my life through Allure Spa. This June two assistants, Katie and Shanel, are graduating. Both of these girls came on as assistants when they were in their early teenage years. They came to Allure Spa with the eagerness to learn and an excitement that was contagious. They truly work so hard for sometimes little acknowledgement. But they are always humble. In this way, I think we can learn from them.

     As I prepare to let them go off to college, I hope that they have learned from me too and that I have planted seeds in them that will help them continue to grow into strong, amazing women. I have faith this is true when I think of another teenager who came into my life years ago. Sarah Marshall, Robin's daughter, was an assistant at Allure Spa for 7 years and left last year to pursue her dreams and start her future. When she came to Allure, she came to work hard and work hard she did. She accomplished every task asked of her without a question and saved every dollar she made from it. She became more than an employee to me as she was growing into a beautiful young woman because she was always willing to help. From washing towels to picking up my sons, she was always there for me. Even as she pursued her education, studying Education at Bridgewater State College, she worked hard for me too. After graduating, she was looking for a teaching job and I urged her to apply to St. Agatha School where my boys both went until 8th grade. She did, and after being substitute for a short time, now has her own classroom. I gave Sarah a prayer book recently and it warms my heart to know, that as she shares these prayers with her classroom every morning, I played a part in her success and happiness. Just as I learned from her humbleness, I like to think that she learned from me too.

     I have watched Katie and Shanel grow up, just as I did Sarah, and I know they will be remarkable women too. They already showed me this as they volunteered at the Friends of the World Charitable Fundraiser in May. They were eager to help and this warmed my heart. As they go pursue their dreams, I wish them the best of all the world has to offer. I have faith that the humbleness that they had working as hard as little Cinderellas will remain. And I hope the seeds planted in them will grow as they grow into the marvelous women they are destined to be.

And as I always say with every ending, there is a new beginning that brings hope.... and Maura Kelly, Katie's sister, has certainly seen this as she eagerly waits to take Katie's place. I look forward to experiencing this amazing growth into adulthood with her and all of the other girls to come. I am very blessed that these relationships are a part of my life thanks to Allure Spa.

Congratulations to Katie Kelly and Shanel Chandoo on their highchool graduation!

Katie has been assisting for Allure Spa for 3 years. Katie is graduating from Hanover High School on June 9th. At Hanover High School, Katie played lacrosse for two years and field hockey for four years. Her senior year, she received the Patriot League All Star award. Katie will be attending Keene State in New Hampshire this fall for elementary education.

Shanel has been an employee at Allure Spa for over three years. Shanel is graduating from Randolph High on June 3rd. At Randolph High, Shanel participated in soccer and chearleading, and was her highschool's class president. Shanel will be attending Bridgewater State College in the fall and will be pursuing a degree in early childhood education.

We wish Katie and Shanel the best of luck in all their future endeavors!!