My heart is beyond broken and I feel like we have lost our son as well. Cruise and DeAnn were ever-present in our lives over the past many years...concerts, family dinners, candy making, and preschool years at Let Me Shine with our daughters. With past family experiences in addiction and mental health, we shared in many of DeAnn and Cruise's ups and downs of life. We cherished all the times we got to spend with this extraordinary human being. Cruise's violin playing was a gift that he gave all of us...and we were so lucky to have known him 16 years of his short 18 year life. DeAnn- Cruise loved you dearly. And so do we. We are ALWAYS here for you! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
3
It shook me to here the announcement. Damn that kid could play the violin and at the banquet. He played Toxic just proving how toxic the world can be. The world didn't deserve Cruise but he deserved the world. I'm catholic but I never really pray but I will pray for him and hope he rests peacefully wherever he is.
2
Throughout senior year, I've taken up a habit of taking daily video diary entries. These are often of strange, humorous, or uplifting things that happen at school every day. This is one of those videos, taken on the night of the senior banquet.
I admired a student playing the violin from afar that night, surrounded by friends and fellow students. I really love to capture small but meaningful moments in my videos, so I recorded him performing.
A few days later, I was told of Cruise's passing. I didn't know him too well, but his death sent waves through the whole school. I can tell he was an important friend to many, and even to those who barely knew him have felt the heartbreak of his passing.
I hope that his friends and family can keep him in memory as their lives continue. The class of 2022 has lost a great student this year, but his memory lives on through us. I'm glad that this small memory I have of him can be shared with others.
4
There are no words I could write in this text box that would even begin to capture the incredible impact Cruise had on my life. Growing up so close together allowed his intelligence and kindness to influence my life then and now significantly. We shared so many important moments together that its hard to pick even one to capture him as a whole. I am so proud of what he has achieved and am eternally grateful for the change he made to both my life and the world.
9
Cruise was an incredibly kind, funny person. In 8th grade, we had aviation together where he was one of the few pilots who was able to compete with the teacher. I had a chance to reconnect with him earlier this year, and he was as incredible and funny and cool as ever— my condolences to his family
1
cruise was such a kind and genuine friend i’m so lucky to have met him. my condolences to his family i can’t even imagine what you’re going through.
1
Cruise was one of the kindest people I knew and he just radiated a vibe of sunshine especially when he was feeling happy. I knew him through out middle school but I didn’t really get to talk to him until this year. He taught me so much about mental health and made me feel better about having my own struggles and I wish I got a chance to tell him that. He was kind and a good person and I wish he could have done all the things he was so excited to do.
1
me and cruise met in middle school and he was always the sweetest to me. he would help me in math in 8th grade. he was amazing in judson’s class and tried to teach everyone russian. through high school, we went to different schools but i would visit frequently and when i saw him we would always say hi and be happy to see each other. he was a great a kid. love and condolences to his family.
2
2018, Teton Science School
1
2018, Teton Science School
How lucky I was to have Cruise in the group I chaperoned. He kept us all entertained all week while staying engaged and inquisitive. Such a cool, smart kid- my heart breaks for all of his friends and family.
4