To the greatest person I have ever known
I would first like to start this out by saying that Andy is not the only one I am talking about on here today. He is however, the only one I am giving a full post to by himself. I encourage you to scroll down and read the others as well.
Andy "Ish" Ashenden. That name to so many people symbolizes a great runner, someone who has gone to a national track meet and done astoundingly well. To others, it represents the individual with amazing drive, the passion to push through pain in order to succeed. To me, it is both of these, but more so, it is a wonderful friend, a man of powerful faith, and an individual with more heart and class then anyone else I know.
I first learned about Andy's amazing abilities in running from Nicky, over summer my freshman year. It was the first time that we had gone to a summer run for XC and Nicky told me about how good his brother was. When I went on the run I honestly mistook Andy for Aman, seeing as how Nicky and Aman look shockingly alike. For roughly 3 weeks, I thought Aman was Nicky's brother. It didn't help that Aman's first name is also Andy. Eventually however, I learned the real Andy Ashenden, and that has been a great honor in my life.
Throughout the past two years, after literally running with Andy daily, I have been able to see his enourmous faith in action, along with his humble nature and quality leadership ablilities. During training sessions, there were often times debates over different perspectives, or sometimes insults that cut a bit too deep; Andy was always the first to put an end to unnecessary insults and apologize for any action he took part in it. He lead by example, and backed up what he said. Most importantly, he was always willing to listen if you had a problem and if not offer advice, just be there to listen.
The thing I will remember the most about Andy though, more then all the running titles and all of the memories even, is his faith. It never ceases to amaze me how someone can have such an abundant faith with what seems like no doubts. I marvel at how much a part of his life it is and I hope someday I could be like that. It really has made a tremendous impact upon me and I am eternally grateful for that.
Ultimately there are more things that I wish I could say here, but for the sake of time and space, I can't say everything I would like to say on here. I will just leave you with this...
Andy you have been the greatest role model in my entire life. I look up to you as being a great friend, a great runner, a great person, and as an individual who lives your faith everyday in your life and has made it not just a part of your life but your entire life. I have tried to learn as much as I can from you because you are a wonderful person and I hope that someday I will be half the man you are. If that was the case, I would be satisfied with myself. I want to wish you the best of luck at Stevents Point and in track there, along with the rest of your life. I know you will do just fine. Thank you so much for everything you have done, especially catching me when I faint on you. Good Luck Andy :)
Andy "Ish" Ashenden. That name to so many people symbolizes a great runner, someone who has gone to a national track meet and done astoundingly well. To others, it represents the individual with amazing drive, the passion to push through pain in order to succeed. To me, it is both of these, but more so, it is a wonderful friend, a man of powerful faith, and an individual with more heart and class then anyone else I know.
I first learned about Andy's amazing abilities in running from Nicky, over summer my freshman year. It was the first time that we had gone to a summer run for XC and Nicky told me about how good his brother was. When I went on the run I honestly mistook Andy for Aman, seeing as how Nicky and Aman look shockingly alike. For roughly 3 weeks, I thought Aman was Nicky's brother. It didn't help that Aman's first name is also Andy. Eventually however, I learned the real Andy Ashenden, and that has been a great honor in my life.
Throughout the past two years, after literally running with Andy daily, I have been able to see his enourmous faith in action, along with his humble nature and quality leadership ablilities. During training sessions, there were often times debates over different perspectives, or sometimes insults that cut a bit too deep; Andy was always the first to put an end to unnecessary insults and apologize for any action he took part in it. He lead by example, and backed up what he said. Most importantly, he was always willing to listen if you had a problem and if not offer advice, just be there to listen.
The thing I will remember the most about Andy though, more then all the running titles and all of the memories even, is his faith. It never ceases to amaze me how someone can have such an abundant faith with what seems like no doubts. I marvel at how much a part of his life it is and I hope someday I could be like that. It really has made a tremendous impact upon me and I am eternally grateful for that.
Ultimately there are more things that I wish I could say here, but for the sake of time and space, I can't say everything I would like to say on here. I will just leave you with this...
Andy you have been the greatest role model in my entire life. I look up to you as being a great friend, a great runner, a great person, and as an individual who lives your faith everyday in your life and has made it not just a part of your life but your entire life. I have tried to learn as much as I can from you because you are a wonderful person and I hope that someday I will be half the man you are. If that was the case, I would be satisfied with myself. I want to wish you the best of luck at Stevents Point and in track there, along with the rest of your life. I know you will do just fine. Thank you so much for everything you have done, especially catching me when I faint on you. Good Luck Andy :)
posted by UncleFluffy at 6/10/2006 11:36:00 AM
3 Comments:
add something about his graduation party tonight
i agree with lauren and jeffrey. if i had to choose a male role model in high school it would deffinitly be andy. and the weird thing is that if i choose a female role model his sister abby would be it. nicky deffinitly has the best bro and sis to go to if he ever needs advice
hey I do hope you all realize the one below this post. There is more then just Andy gradtuating here. There are some other seniors I would like to recognize too. Andy is just the greatest influence I have had in my life.
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