Kaitlyn and I first became friends in 5th grade when we chose each other as partners for UIL Oral Reading, and my first real memory of her is simply her dedication in reciting the poem "Us" by Shel Silverstein. She would always be asking me for tips on how she could make her reading better, as well as offering her own advice during my poem recitations. For some reason, I've never forgotten the way she spoke the lines, "I like hot chocolate/He wants his tea." Maybe it was the apparent disdain in her voice, as though wanting tea was the most awful thing in the world, but anytime I happen upon the poem and read those lines I think of her. We remained close friends throughout middle school. I remember her as a kind, passionate and immensely talented person. Her voice was incredibly beautiful, and she was always voted "Most Talented" or "Most Likely to be Famous" in our class superlatives growing up. We had choir together for multiple years and everyone was so in awe of her voice whenever she had (and she always had) solos. She was also one of my first friends I was allowed to have multiple sleepovers with, and though I don't remember much from those nights, I know they were filled with so much fun and laughter. We haven't been friends for many years, but hearing this awful news has truly saddened me. May Kaitlyn rest in peace, and I wish her family nothing but the best during this hard time. <3