Andrew McDonald: a kind face in the hallway, a quick joke to fill any awkward silence, a genuine soul. Classmates knew him to be a kind spirit, someone you could always go to if you needed help. I knew him for his quick humor, willingness to take a joke, and abrupt use of not-always-existent cognates in French classes. Andrew spent every class encouraging his peers. Every day he would walk into class with a smile spread across his face, his glee radiating onto those around him. 

I have been in French classes with Andrew every year since seventh grade. In middle school French classes, we spent each week learning a song. Madame Etkin used the music to help us grow our vocabulary and practice pronunciation. I have one vivid memory of Andrew belting the words to C’est La Vie (a repetitive song Madame Etkin used as a tool for us to work on our rhythm when speaking). As Andrew sang, his face turned beat-red with laughter — the pure bliss of life flooding his face. 

Andrew spent his time bringing joy into the lives of others.

“Andrew McDonald will always be one of those individuals you meet and you will never forget,” says Shealee Cavanaugh, a close friend of Andrew, “He was the one to make you laugh, the one to make you cry (happy tears), the one to listen, and the one to care.”

Shealee met Andrew in sixth grade, he was new to Ludlow school and began the year with a timid, shy demeanor. But Andrew didn’t stay shy for long. In seventh grade, Andrew and Shealee became close friends; he saw her struggling to find a group of friends and took her under his wing. They spent their time together creating memories. Shealee vividly remembers one time when they visited an amusement park. They had spent the day together laughing and deepening their friendship, and that’s when they spotted a game. They played the game countless times, not resting until they had won a prize.

Andrew and Shealee’s bond only grew in their freshman year math class. Andrew spent his time in class not only working but cracking jokes. He always loved Mr. Olivera’s singing fish and trying to find a way to raise his grade without doing any work. 

“I wish I got to spend more time with him,” Shealee says “he was one of my favorite people to be around. To him, it did not matter what we were doing, where we were going, or who we were with, all Andrew would ever want is to have a good time. He has impacted my life so much and I want the world to recognize the soul he was and will forever be.”