Sophia’s Tribute

Whenever I mentioned having friends over to my family, my sister always asked “Is Maya going to be there?!?” When Maya did come over, my sister made a point of sitting in the next room, knowing she was bound to be entertained listening to Maya’s made-up words, jokes, and phrases. That was Maya — her unique, weird, yet hilarious personality was a magnet to those around her.

I met Maya in 6th grade, when I first started at the Holton-Arms School. Maya, who had joined the school the year before, understood what it was like to be the new girl. She was open and welcoming, and her kindness made it easy for me to feel at home around her.

We found ourselves sitting next to each other in Spanish class almost every year. I have fond memories of the many skits and projects we created, where laughter and off-topic conversations often sidetracked our progress on the actual assignment. Her carefree spirit and humor had a way of brightening any task at hand.

Our senior year, we grew closer, attending prom and other senior year festivities together with our other friends. That summer before college, we spent many hours lounging by the pool and dining out, discussing the excitement of college and the endless possibilities that awaited us in just a few weeks.

Returning home for breaks over the last three years was something I always looked forward to because it meant reuniting with Maya and our high school friends. Our annual Friendsgiving in November was a highlight, featuring a feast, catch ups, and of course, an hour-long photoshoot. During summer breaks Maya, Anya, Monelli, and I had a tradition of crafting PowerPoints that we presented to each other as an in-depth recap of the year’s highlights and significant events. Even though we hadn’t seen each other in months, these nights made it feel like we has shared every high and low of the year together. It was easy to see that Maya was blossoming at WashU, embracing new adventures with her animated spirit and determination.

This past winter break, the four of us planned a girls trip to Miami for some much needed R&R. Imagine our disappointment when the trip was canceled the day of because the plane never showed up… Nope, not Maya — She refused to accept this setback. Determined to salvage our trip, she spent hours on the phone with travel agencies, passionately reciting policies that required them to assist us with our disrupted travel plans. When Maya set her mind to something, she made it happen. Her dedication and drive were qualities I always admired. That trip to Miami remains one of my favorite memories with Maya.

I am deeply grateful to have called you my friend Maya. The world feels different without you in it. We all miss you more than words can express.