Meadowside Elementary School

Greetings from the Office!

In Memory of Nick "Big Nick" Branca"
Once upon a time there was a little school. It was a good school with a committed, hard working staff, energetic, engaging students and a supportive and encouraging community. And the school was happy. Over the years, the school went through many changes – some good, some bad. One day, not too long ago, an angel appeared. It was a red angel filled with vim and vigor. This angel had beaten back a menacing, ruthless fiend and recovered well enough to again attend school. And the little school cheered for the red angel. The year marched on and the red angel sat and learned side by side with the other angels in his classroom. Until one day, late in the year, the red angel didn’t appear. The children and staff wondered what had happened to him. The insidious threat had reappeared once again and tried to sap the red angel of his power. And the little school was concerned. However, an amazing thing happened. The little school stood up and said “No! We will not let this happen to one of our angels! We are going to do something about this”. And the little school again came together as a community to support one of its own. Raffle baskets, a huge steel beam, a kickball game, and a family barbeque highlighted the affair. Children set up lemonade stands and total strangers turned out and contributed to support the red angel. And the little school was humbled. Thereafter, the red angel endured countless treatments, doctors’ visits and procedures. Yet he remained strong – an inspiration to everyone. Time went on – schooling continued at home and the red angel’s health gradually improved. And the little school was hopeful. After more than a year, the news finally arrived – the red angel would again be back where he belonged. There amongst other shining auras, the red angel sat and listened and raised his hand and was again, at home. He was in his element. And the little school was overjoyed. Follow up doctor visits and a final scan would close the battle against this dreaded disease and would allow the red angel to again be part of his community. And the little school waited. Then, very unexpectedly, the little school received news it did not anticipate. The illness had reappeared - the red angel’s fight was coming to an end. And the little school was in shock. Such fight, such courage could not - would not - ever give in to such a villain. The little school was hopeful and waited for word of a miracle. But it was true. The power, the fight, the fortitude that was an inspiration to so many was needed by another angel in some other place. And the little school was devastated.

It’s said that time heals and that memories live on. Again showing his power, the red angel has once more brought a community together. His memory will live on in each of us – his strength and courage will forever be an inspiration to countless others. We are a better community because of Nick. And the little school started to heal.