(I apologize for the length)
I had the honor of teaching Connor this year, and he was truly one of a kind. He was an incredibly talented photographer with a gift for capturing the world around him. More importantly, he was a young man with an amazing moral compass, genuine kindness, and a character that left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
One of my favorite memories of Connor perfectly captures his sense of humor. One day in class, we were trying to decide what music to listen to and I had Spotify open on my laptop. Connor casually told me he had added a song to my playlist. I was convinced he had somehow pulled off some next-level hacking because he clearly didn’t have any of my login information! The entire class period, I kept asking him what song he added, and all he would say was, “Keep looking! It’s there!”
As the period went on, I became more and more determined to find it. By the end of class, I was completely frustrated because I couldn’t figure out what he had added. Finally, I looked at him and said, “Connor, what did you do?” With the cheeky smile that we all came to know and love, he replied, “Nothing. I just wanted to see what you would do!”
That was Connor. Quick-witted, funny, and always able to bring a smile to those around him. He had a way of making ordinary moments memorable, and his laughter and spirit made our classroom, and school, a better place.
I am grateful to have known him and to have had the privilege of being his teacher. Connor’s talent, kindness, humor, and integrity will not be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Connor. You are deeply missed, and your memory will live on in the countless lives you touched.