By Ava Nicols
Editor-in-Chief
I started the new year by writing out a long list of goals I wanted for myself, deciding that this will be the year I get more sleep and be less stressed. But I’ll spare you the misplaced confidence. The most
realistic of my New Year’s resolutions is to live in the moment more.
Mr. McAvin was the epitome of someone who lived in the moment. If he was thirsty? A swig of whole milk from the carton he kept by his desk did the trick. If he was hungry? Someone was dismissed to pick up Amigos so long as they brought him back something. If he was angry, we would all know it immediately, and be sure to quickly adjust accordingly. Jokes aside, there was never a moment Mac did not exist to give his students the inspiration to improve, no matter the circumstance. Whether he was justifying controversial opinions with the first amendment or sharing parallels from his own life growing up in Manhattan Beach, Mac was in your corner and proud of the little wins as much as the big ones.
Mac is a large part of why I am able and eager to continue using my writing to make a difference in the world, and I am eternally grateful for his mentorship. He introduced me to the power of journalism and how I can use my craft to stand out in an ever-changing world full of opportunity, both good and bad. Even though we butted heads at times, he always applauded me for my willingness to pursue the things I am passionate about. I often debated him on ideas, sometimes suggesting things too ambitious for his liking, but nonetheless he let me try. That’s really all I could ask for.
One day I came to him on a whim and asked to start this column. He said, “Let’s see what you come up with first.” I took his challenge and blew him away. I was scared to take this leap with my writing— being vulnerable in a high school setting is not the easiest thing to do. Mac believing in me has helped me to speak from the heart and stay in the moment when I write.
Because of Mac’s encouragement, I am able to continue to make him and La Vista proud, leading by example and not being afraid to suggest ideas and encourage others. Because of him, I never fear a challenge or a “no,” because a no is always a maybe until proven otherwise.
Learning from Mac has profoundly impacted my life in ways that I did not realize until he was gone. It is easy for us to take advantage of seeing people every day because it is routine and predictable. Knowing that when I walked into Room 101, he would be there with Bob Marley playing was never something I thought would change. But I know he is watching over us, still rooting for us as we make him proud every day. I will miss you.
Xoxo,
Ava
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