"It's difficult to express in words the profound impact Haley has had on my life. When I reflect on just how much she has done for me, it becomes almost overwhelming. I don't believe she fully realized the extent to which she made a difference in my life. Likewise, I did not realize how lucky I was to have her as a friend. Her kindness, humor, and intelligence are just a few things I miss about her every day.

    Haley was the one who took me under her wing in middle school when I had practically no friends. She introduced me to her friend group, and we became inseparable almost instantly. She was incredibly intelligent, although she never gave herself enough credit for it. She always helped me with any psychology concepts I struggled with in school, recalling topics we went over in class like it was second nature. It was a subject she was deeply passionate about and seemed to understand effortlessly.  Thanks to Haley, I made the decision to go vegetarian in high school after she convinced me, having been vegan throughout her own high school years. It was something her and I bonded over, going to vegan festivals and trying new foods together whenever possible. Haley also introduced me to a lot of the bands I now love. Our favorite thing to do was go to concerts. We always said that we had to have at least one concert to look forward to to get us through the school year, so you can imagine how many concerts we went to together during those years!

    Furthermore, Haley played a vital role in introducing me to almost all of my closest friends who have become integral to my life. Her natural ability to connect with others was something I struggled with growing up. Haley effortlessly befriended anyone and built trust with them almost instantly. She was the best listener when you needed to vent, she never made you feel beneath her for whatever problem you were going through, and she always seemed to have the best solutions to any problem.

Above all, Haley was my role model. She consistently saw the best in others and gave them the benefit of the doubt, even when they may not have deserved it. With her wonderful sense of humor and outgoing personality, she led the way in everything we did together, and I happily followed. Embodying Haley's ability to connect with others has been my ongoing aspiration.  Haley left an impression wherever she was. People in my life who were only able to meet Haley a handful of times would always ask about her. Family members who hadn't seen her in years would often inquire about her well-being. My mom would fondly mention how much she missed her during times when Haley and I weren't in touch. Whenever Haley came over, my little sister would eagerly want to hang out with her, and Haley always treated her like another best friend. The number of people who have come together to continue her legacy is proof of how adored she is.

    In honor of Haley, let's make an effort to put ourselves out there a bit more. Reach out to those people you've been too afraid to speak to. Text an old friend you miss and catch up with them. Let the people around you know that you're there for them when they need support. Never close the doors on old friendships. By doing these things, we can all keep Haley's memory alive. Let's all strive to live a little bit more like Haley."