Hey.

I know that we didn’t talk that much. Sure, we would talk when we saw each other in the hallways in the early hours of the morning (when it would literally just be us and the custodians roaming the halls), and we would laugh and you would show me the most rad video games after school, but we never found the time to hang out outside of school. However, whenever you hung out with me and the rest of our awkward theater/robotics people friends in the choir and band hallway, we would have the best debates and conversations. Talking to you was always a highlight of my day; I learned so much from you, and you never failed to put a smile on my face.

This is what has been making the past week so hard.

I could just dish out all of the good memories we had. I’ll always remember you leading the way with the school banner in the Bayfield Apple Fest Parade as I danced with the dance team right behind you. I will remember how we would joke around during this, snickering about how the band marched too slow, and how I must make sure to not kick you in the head.

I will always remember the times we had “ganging up” on and playfully teasing one of my best friends and a fellow member of your robotics team. We had the same sense of humor and would play off of each other beautifully. You always had the best witty comebacks, but you also knew when it was time to tone it down and not take things too far.

I’ll remember the times I would watch you artfully taking snapshots of the events going on in front of you and admire how you could capture every exploding smile and buzzing bit of energy through a still picture. I could always tell which pictures posted on the school’s website were your pictures, as they were full of life that no other camera could capture.

However, memories are just memories and I could have made these sorts of small memories with many people. What is truly memorable about you is the natural compassion for others that you had. You were always willing to lend your listening ear and help those around you in need. You did not judge anyone for what was one the outside, but you rather took the time to dive in and learn what was on the inside of the pages of a person’s life. Your natural energy always lit up a room like a ginormous fireball. I could always sense when you were in a room without physically seeing you, as everything seemed a bit more joyful and little less stressful in your presence. I could have been stressing about the mountains of AP bio that I would have had to do on any given night, on top of my work for my English, math, and history classes, but you always found a way to make it more fun. You always had a pizzazz in your step and a golden glow coating your words that inspired others to act with more kindness, grace, and respect.

Now that you are no longer with us, motivating us physically with your words and actions, we will all have to remember your quiet leadership in spirit and have that encourage us throughout the rest of our lives. Your gentle nature and zesty spirit will forever and always inspire the hearts you have touched.