“What’s up, Sir?” – A Tribute To Preston Stock

It’s hard to write a blog post about someone that has passed away – trying to find the right words to encapsulate someone’s lifetime, in a brief written response. Honestly, I find it difficult because I never want to limit a person’s lifetime to certain, finite moments; yet, it is important to remember that person with a fitting tribute. Truly, it’s even harder when the person I am writing about today was my former student, Preston Stock, who passed away at the young age of 15 last week. So when you read my tribute, know that this was a Monday to Friday experience for me – but man was it ever memorable. 

If you have been reading my blog for the past few years, many of you know that I really like Marvel. During the 2024 school year, a new student showed up in my class – Preston, who also really liked Marvel. In fact, much of our conversations were about movie trivia, comics, and TV shows like Brooklyn Nine- Nine. My first impressions about this new student was that he really knew his stuff about popular movies and TV shows. 

Once I arrive at school, my day starts the same pretty much every day. I remember back in my old classroom (which was in the church-side of the school), I was in a tiny classroom that could just fit ten students, and I had to perfect the “crab walk” to go between the desks. Preston sat at the first desk as soon as you entered my classroom, and almost every morning he wore a grin on his face. Everyday he had his big, black headphones around his neck, and he often wore graphic tees and a blue jean jacket with beige lining. Many mornings when I said “Good morning, Preston,” he would reply with ‘What’s up, Sir?” or “What’s up, man?” (which I reminded him it was Sir, and he would quickly apologize with a smile. I will miss those greetings, even the “Man…” greeting).

My interactions with Preston were unpredictable and numerous. For instance, it was not uncommon for Preston to be walking down the hall from class and randomly shout “Cobra kai!” ( a popular karate TV show that he always talked about). Sometimes when I was in the hall, he would still shout and even jump in the air like a ninja and make a karate kick and punch. Often I would be behind him, usually saying something like, “Preston, you are in school right now.” To which he would reply, “Sorry, Mr. Eason.” (but yet it was not a guilty sorry but rather a I am sorry, but not really lol. 

I remember performing my first outside duty on a motorized scooter (which was also my first time ever on a scooter). He offered to try it out one day, and I gladly accepted. I put on his helmet (which did not buckle up, since my head is so big) and I squeezed the throttle, and away I went. I zoomed up one end of the parking lot – to the bewilderment of the students – and then zoomed around the building. After about four laps or so, I gave Preston back his scooter because I was going to want it for my whole duty. Another time as I was driving back from my lunch break, I watched as a kid was zooming on the sidewalk on his scooter, about 3 kilometers from the school – I then recognized the jean jacket, and sure enough – it was Preston. He used to bring that scooter to school in the spring/summer months, and go to the stores and fast food places. 

Honestly folks, I have so many stories like when he brought a gigantic cucumber to my classroom in Socials Studies, when half-way through my lesson (as I turned around for no real reason) I saw Preston holding the cucumber out like Bugs Bunny holding a carrot. Then, and to my surprise I might add, with an angry, determined face, I watched as he violently chomped onto the cucumber while watching me ( I can’t help but smile while writing this). I began to laugh in class and asked, “Preston, what on earth are you doing?” He made no reply, but just chomped down on the cucumber again like it was his last meal…and then burst out laughing. The whole class, including me, couldn’t help but laugh. Who does these kinds of things!? Preston did.

It was these unpredictable moments – these precious moments – that made my relationship with my student so special. I will never forget the day that Preston walked into my classroom and handed me an Incredible Hulk canvas picture. It was not a gift for Teacher Appreciation Week, nor was it Christmas or any other special occasion – but it was in the middle of the week, and he bought it for me. I also have a Marvel test attached to my cork board in my class, which he made for me. Yes, he created a five page test with multiple choice, short answer, and long answer questions. I was shocked when he brought it in because it was a similar layout to my own tests, and it was quite well done. It’s one of the few tests in my life that I received 100% on. When I was finished, and he took it back to his other class for correcting, he wrote in red ink on the top right hand corner, “Wow, Sir, you really know your stuff.”

Preston, it was an honour to have you as my student. I remember writing something special on your test, and If my memory serves me correct, you were the first student I wrote this for – EXCELSIOR! 

Stan Lee used to sign off with that adjective, and it was his catchphrase. What does it mean? 

Dictionary.com says “Higher” or “Ever Upward”. Stan Lee said it meant, “Upward and onward to greater glory.”

So one last time to my student and fellow Marvel friend – EXCELSIOR!

Christian

Obituary | Preston James Stock | Caul’s Funeral Home