From Joanna:

When Ms. LA put me behind Eliza Duff-Wender in Precalculus, my life changed forever.

I’m not being dramatic; I’m being factual. Precalculus was once a class I lugged my sixie-sized backpack to (sorry, Ms. LA), but following that fateful first day of Term 3, I was skipping to class at the pace of a sixie to see Eliza.

My dearest, Eliza (with a comma after “dearest”), your ability to crack a witty joke or to make a goofy gesture to match mine was enough to make sophomore year bearable. I’m not sure how I found you, but I am so glad I did. Your warm presence and kindness is something that everyone who comes into contact with you comes to appreciate — I hope you never lose that.

To be frank, you were probably my soulmate in another life. Down in 016 during Argo Production Weeks, many of my favorite memories include you! From our Lady and the Tramp pizza crust moments and creating cringey videos together to just being a shoulder to lean on after a tiring day of school and editing, thanks for always being there for me.

Thanks for hugging me every time we see each other in the hallway.Thanks for listening to my rants and basically being the big sister I never had. Thanks for making me skip parts of Italian class to pick up cake from your AP Lit parties.

And finally, thanks for sending me pictures of your painted nails that far outshine the ones I send you. I’m going to miss you so very much. See you soon baefy!

From Andrew:

Eliza, the most enthusiastic JV track senior I know and my Advanced Geometry prodigy. In the silence that permeated through our geometry breakout room, you were always there asking some…interesting…questions, but I was thankful you broke the silence. I think you were the one friend I actually made over quarantine, and I was ecstatic to have a new connection, even if we only ever interacted in that breakout room with three other muted lurkers.