pushing limits
One day when Emily Goldstein was 3, she had trouble going down the stairs. She told her mom that she had a lot of pain in her knee. “It had swollen to the size of a grapefruit,” says Emily, now a senior at Parkway Central High School. “We went to the doctor, and eventually I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), an autoimmune disease.”
The condition has been a daily fixture in her life ever since, requiring countless medications and treatments. As a freshman, she also found out she had Crohn’s disease, an autoimmune digestive tract condition. But Emily doesn’t allow her health issues to become an obstacle, mentally or physically. She fights back by staying on the go and sharing her experiences to help others with JRA, which causes joint swelling, stiffness and other problems, and can make daily activities difficult. “I have flare-ups, but right now I’m pretty stable,” she says. “It can be tough waking up feeling like you have the joints of an old person. But staying active helps.”
She has served as captain of her school’s cross country and track and field teams, and has danced competitively. She also raises money for rheumatoid arthritis research so others can benefit from treatment advances. The Arthritis Foundation named her a 2017 Teen Honoree in recognition of her fundraising efforts, which include the organization’s Jingle Bell Run, Arthritis Walk and other events. “I call my team ‘Emily’s Entourage,’” she says. “I’ve raised $23,000 so far.”
Emily also participates in her school’s Jewish Student Union and mock trial program. She hopes to become a nurse and plans to attend Loyola University Chicago. “I’ve spent a lot of time in hospitals, battling my own immune system,” she says. “But it actually has made me stronger and more capable. I’m much better equipped to understand and help others.”
field of dreams
CBC sophomore Brady Feeney lends new meaning to being a well-rounded student. His interests take him from the football field to the music room, and he’s a member of the school’s Honors Program with an impressive 4.6 GPA. He plans to build on these accomplishments with his ambitious career plans.
“Football is life for me, but I try to strike a balance between school and sports,” says Brady, who plays left guard and right tackle. He recently was named to the Class 6 All-State Football Team and helped CBC take home a state championship last November. “We had to overcome a lot of challenges like injuries to key players, and that made the championship one of our best successes ever,” he says. “Personally, I’ve tried to step up more as a leader and be more outspoken this past season. I like inspiring people.” He works out daily to stay in shape and trains at Elite Football Academy St. Louis.
When he’s not suited up for the gridiron, Brady plays the trumpet in CBC’s Band of Brothers, volunteers with incoming students, and loves studying math and science. “I’m an analytical person, which helps me in the classroom and on the football field,” he says. He serves as a student ambassador and freshman mentor to familiarize new kids with the school, taking them on tours and helping build their confidence. In college, he plans to play football and prepare for a career in medicine. “I’d love to work with kids and help athletes stay healthy,” Brady says. He’s shooting for Stanford University but also is considering schools in Michigan and Nebraska.
He already has a full-ride football scholarship offer from the University of South Dakota. “Brady’s work ethic has made him a standout with the coaches here,” says CBC director of communications Patrick Walsh. “It was obvious as soon as he arrived on campus freshman year.”
talk to … Jaidyn Covington
Guests at The Fox Theatre’s December performance of The Great Russian Nutcracker got to witness the budding dance career of Central Christian School third-grader Jaidyn Covington, who played a mouse in the classic Christmas story. More than 100 girls auditioned for the role, so Jaidyn says she was especially proud to be selected. She competes as a member of the Tammy’s Tumbling and Dance Center team, and also studies jazz, hip-hop and other styles of dance.
how did you find out you had been chosen for the Nutcracker?
I went to an audition at a dance studio in November, and a lot of other kids were there trying out. Right after the audition, they gave me a piece of paper saying that I’d made it!
what was it like being on stage for the performance?
It was my first time on a big stage, and I really enjoyed it. I was a little nervous, but I loved watching the professional dancers. Performing with them was so exciting.
how does dancing make you feel?
It makes me feel flexible and strong, like I can do anything I want. It can be kind of tiring, but I think it’s a good kind of tired.
what else do you enjoy doing?
I like art, because you can get really crafty with it! I also love reading and going to the library. Fiction stories are my favorite.
