Inspirational Feature by J1 Reporter Annika Zimmerman

It’s a gloomy Tuesday, with a cool breeze and a slight drizzle here and there. As you trudge up from the parking lot to the doors of Marian, smiles are scarce all around. But there Ms. Higgins stands at the start of the sidewalk, bundled tightly with warm coffee in hand at 7 a.m. and a tremendous smile gleaming from her face. You can’t miss the cheerful “good mornings” and gracious chuckles she hands out to each and every student who passes by.

After not 10, not 20, but more than 50 years of being involved with Marian, President Ms. Mary Higgins has and continues to be a model of spirituality and positivity for others. From the first day of the 2014-2015 school year, Higgins has made it a priority to exude loving and unselfish qualities among the Marian community and throughout her job. In doing this she unknowingly became an inspiration for all of Marian and those around her.

Although she says,  “I still get cranky,” she also said, “I find my that my connection to spirituality really helps me keep a positive attitude. When you realize all the gifts you have, the joy around you, and what you get to experience everyday; it is hard not to!” Higgins expressed how, “Life is so short, you might as well find a way to brighten it and help other people out!”

Now how can one be like Ms. Higgins? How can someone be so enthusiastic before 7 a.m. all the time? Her advice is “You simply have to dig down deep inside and decide who you are and how you want to be. You can’t give in to the negative if you really want joy and happiness.” It’s ultimately up to you.

However, Marian has played a huge role in teaching her these qualities and ways of life. “Marian is so much at my core of what I think and how I believe I should live and treat other people. It has taught me to be so confident and the ability to believe in my own strength as well as others.”

Higgins loves to encourage and cheer on Marian students and anyone else involved in her life, in everything they do.  It is no secret that she takes much pride in the success of Marian’s athletics, academics, and extracurricular activities. “I am a cheerleader. It is so important for the students to know how good they are. If nothing else, on my gravestone, I’m sure it could say ‘at least she was enthusiastic!’”

But who inspires her to be an inspiration for others? Beyoncé? Jesus? Well yes… But overall she says “role models and mentors and teachers, anybody who is other centered and clearly unselfish.. over time, you learn so much.”