A first-grader at Peck Elementary School in the West Lawn Neighborhood was welcomed back to school by classmates today, three months after having a heart transplant.
Students at the school near Midway airport chanted her name as Joselin “Josie” Navarez walked down the main hallway with her parents, smiling and waving.
The students stood on both sides, some holding signs welcoming her back.
At the end of the hallway, she ran into the arms of her teacher under an arch made of red balloons, as her classmates cheered.
In her classroom, there was an impromptu dance party.
They played “The Best Day of My Life.”
Her mom said it’s her favorite song.
Her classmates gave her hugs.
He dad, Gustavo Navarez said “usually she’ll be shy but today it was like, ‘it’s my day, I’m going to shine.’”
He added, “I’m so proud, I feel like crying.”
Her Mom, Jacqueline Martinez, said “I knew I was going to walk away crying, I knew that for sure.”
We asked the parents, “what was going through your mind as you’re walking down the hall and the kids are all chanting her name and clapping?”
Martinez said, “she did it.”
She said she didn’t allow herself to think about this moment following the transplant surgery in July.
“After having the heart transplant she was on life support,” Martinez said.”
“She died and she came back. We weren’t even thinking about school or anything. She was looking forward to waking up every morning and she’s here,” Martinez said with a tearful smile.