Karla Drake

On the one year anniversary of Karla´s passing, I am thinking about her often. She was intelligent, well read, informed, cultured, kind, inclusive, funny, interesting and a great person to chat with about a myriad of topics. I miss her and the Longmeadow HS community misses her. She left a lasting impression on so many of us.

Ms. Drake was an exceptional teacher and a welcoming presence. She cared for her students with ferocity and tenderness. She will be missed deeply.

I'm very sorry to hear of the passing of Karla. I met Karla and the Krahn family and was with them for 11 days on a Mennonite Heritage Tour in the Ukraine in 2019. Her obituary gives me a glimpse of her love of teaching and living life to the fullest. My sympathy to the entire Krahn family.

David, Our deepest sympathies for the loss of your wife. Our prayers are sent for you and your family.

In our lives, there are many paths we can take, and many people to share our journey. Karla shared many of these paths with me in our childhood, as well as in our adult lives on the ski slopes. I pray for each member of Karla's family as they journey forward. They are all very special people.

Thanks Karla for your love of life, education, and travel. You lived a wonderful life that was tragically cut short. Loved seeing you help out with Building A when we first moved from Springfield. Thanks so much for our conversations over the years and your beautiful family you cherished so much. Love you!

To my wonderful AP Literature teacher: thank you for secretly submitting my stories to writing contests, for believing in my talents before I knew how to believe in them myself, and for encouraging me to purse my passions as a career. I am forever grateful for our philosophical after-school conversations on music, life & love over piping-hot mugs of tea, and for the MANY hours you dedicated towards my entire college application, essay & recommendation letter. You are genuinely one of the...

To my wonderful AP Literature teacher: thank you for secretly submitting my stories to writing contests, for believing in my talents before I knew how to believe in them myself, and for encouraging me to purse my passions as a career. I am forever grateful for our philosophical after-school conversations on music, life & love over piping-hot mugs of tea, and for the MANY hours you dedicated towards my entire college application, essay & recommendation letter. You are genuinely one of the...