It was an ordinary day. Reading a sad story in my morning newspaper that was titled "A Bright Light," which was a story about a young man named Lucian Li who was a graduate of Manheim Township High School, my alma mater! The name "Lucian" in Latin means 'light shines' and Lucian's father, Eric Chen-Ta Li, wanted his son to be just that. Lucian was born on November 1. 2003 to Eric and Sarah Popdan Li in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Li went on to live up to his name, impressing coaches, teachers and even strangers whom crossed his path during his short lifetime. Then, on July 18, Lucian died as a result of an automobile accident in Chester County caused by a wrong-way driver. Former teachers, coaches and administrators told about Lucian and his outgoing personality and ability to relate to strangers as well as friends. "He was a bright light in a lot of people's lives," as stated by his high school football coach Mark Evans. Another of his high school teachers, Lance Wagner, said that, "He could have done anything." Lucian was known as a goober which is a slang term for goofy, and is used to describe Lucian in an obituary written by his mother. He was a standout athlete whose athletic career was somewhat limited due to concussions. He did run cross country where he was known for sprinting at the start of a race to get in the front of the pack before his teammates passed him as he began to tire. An article in the Lancaster Newspaper reported that legend had it that Lucian once did cartwheels for the majority of the race while trying to bring levity to those around him. His basketball team coach said he was great for the morale of the team. Lucian began playing lacrosse in sixth grade and later became a two-time Lancaster-Lebanon lacrosse first-team all-star at long-stick mid-fielder for the Manheim Township varsity squad. Lucian was bilingual in English and Chinese, studying biology at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. He talked about maybe working for UNICEF or Doctors Without Border. Chen-Ta Li said the family is taking some comfort in knowing his son's organs were donated, giving a second shot at life to others, including someone in New York who received his heart. The motorist who caused the accident died at the scene. In the wake of Lucian's death, his father created a GoFundMe with the intention of using the money to create a scholarship in his son's memory. The fundraiser has now surpassed $77,700 as of this past Friday. Lucian's legacy will live on in the scholarship, just as it will in the hearts and minds of others on whom he made an impact. I never knew Lucian, but years ago was part of the Manheim Township student body and later as a teacher and coach at MTHS. I too have children and grandchildren and can only imagine the pain that his family is going through. A few more prayers will be sent along to Lucian and his family. God Bless You All! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
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