This is Shane Broderick

Flashback to the Wahlert Homecoming skits in 2011. There’s a kid lying across a piano, dressed in a purple tux, impersonating Justin Bieber. He’s smiling from ear to ear making everyone laugh with his singing. This is Shane Broderick.

That following spring, the Wahlert Men’s soccer team makes it to the state championship. The whistle blows, the game is over and Wahlert has won. There is a kid fired up, overflowing with excitement and happiness, grinning and hugging his teammates. This is Shane Broderick.

At graduation for the class of 2012, there is the same kid, standing up at the podium delivering his Student Body President speech. He says, “Some of us will head to school next fall knowing exactly what our future holds; others have a pretty solid idea of what lies ahead; and yes, some of us only know that next year we won’t be at Wahlert Catholic anymore. No matter which group we belong to, it’s very important that we never settle for the ordinary; rather search for the extraordinary. Be exceptional and discover what it is you really love in the years to follow…” This is Shane Broderick.

Shane participated in soccer for four years, cross country for four years, and wrestling for four years. He was Student Body President his senior year and was loved by many.

He never failed to have a smile on his face or to befriend someone he didn’t know. He was outgoing, enthusiastic, kind and happy. His laugh was infectious, and his positive attitude radiated off of him.

On Feb. 5, 2017, I was in the middle of a volleyball match. When it was over, my parents led me out to the parking lot in the freezing cold.

“Maddie, we got a bad call this morning. Shane died this morning. We don’t know what happened,” said my mom.

It didn’t feel real; it felt impossible. I felt numb and utterly confused.

Shane was my brother’s best friend, my best friend’s brother, and to me, another brother when I wasn’t at my own house. Shane’s smile always made me smile, and he always knew how to make me feel important.

I looked up to Shane. As a young kid I noticed that everyone liked Shane because he was everyone’s friend, talkative, fun to be around, and wise beyond his years. Although my brother’s friend, he would always go out of his way to talk to me and ask me questions. It made me feel special.

At Danielle Hasken’s graduation party, Clare, Shane’s sister; Bailey Hasken, Shane’s cousin; and I were swimming. As a joke, Shane and Riley decided to trade sisters for pictures. I remember Shane’s smile being so big and genuine, and as we posed for photos I threw up a thumbs up for the picture to mimic Shane.

There wasn’t a time where I didn’t see Shane smile unless it was during wrestling when he was trying to cut weight.

His friendship with my brother Riley also brought me closer to one of my best friends today. Clare and I were never super close until Riley and Shane’s senior year. We started having sleepovers after graduation parties, and I began to enjoy having Clare around.

Shane taught us all how to go for the gold: To give our all in everything we are passionate about, to have enthusiasm and a positive outlook for what is coming, and to truly enjoy the time we have with the people we love because we never know when it might be the last.

I would like to close with some words of advice from Shane himself. “Say these things over and over each day: I love you. Thank you. Thank you, God. Forgive me. Congratulations. Why not? And finally, yes.”