Drew was my closest friend for a time in high school when I really needed a friend. He was a wonderful comfort. He was silly and charming in his playfulness. As friends, we had catch phrases that we would repeat all the time. “Chill,” was one. “Just chill,” he’d say through a goofy smile. “Chall.” He was such a goofy kid. 

Drew sort of blissfully floated through those summer days in 2008. He had a bounce in his step, always listening to music through his iPod while out for a walk on The Pine Island Ridge, or skateboarding through the neighborhood. He had so many friends, affectionate friends. We would all huddle and snuggle together while we watched movies. We would pile up in my car and go to the beach listening to Pepper & Slightly Stoopid. We went to concerts, hung out at the pool, or the statue in Forest Ridge. We were just kids being kids, trying to squeeze every amount of life that we could out of each and every day. 

I used to be his ride to school, and he would walk over to my house super early in the morning to make sure I was up and getting dressed. I was always late, and Drew couldn’t tolerate that. Drew took school very seriously. His grades were important to him. He cared very much about succeeding in life and making his dad proud. Drew was brilliant, really brilliant. It’s inspiring to me that he went on to achieve a Master’s Degree in Social Work. 

Drew had a big heart and was so driven. He had a way of articulating the human experience with such precision that it cut through you. He had so much soul. I loved that kid so much, and I am so heartbroken to hear that his precious life has ended. The memories I have of our beautiful teenage friendship will always live on in my heart. The songs we sang will always bring up the memory of his smile, his laugh, our bond. 

-Kelly White