Sarah D. Pearl

Somehow I was paired with Sarah in biology class, 9th grade. The most beautiful girl in school. I was a nobody but she didn’t hesitate to to ask about me and what music I liked. She liked George Michael. She volunteered to dissect the frog (I was so glad, I wanted no part of that) and I did the journal, she just jumped right in.
We were good friends in high school. In a time where “social classes” didn’t mix or it just wasn’t accepted, Sarah was just so approachable, fun, intellectually curious and smart. I was a long-haired, punk who wasn’t fond of going to school. Someone like Sarah wasn’t supposed to even acknowledge a boy like me. But she did, and went out of her way to come talk to me. I will always remember her smile and seeing her in the hallways. She always said hi even when I was too nervous to even think she remembered who I was.
We were both in theater and I remember thinking she was too good, she’d end up in New York or somewhere and be in movies. Like I’m sure every guy who ever met her, I had an absolute crush on this amazing girl.
We went to see Malcom X at the movies, it was supposed to be extra credit for history class. I’m not sure it was a “date” but I’ll always look back at the time as I got to take the most beautiful girl in the universe to a movie.
I just learned of her passing and I feel like I’ve been hit with a bat. She was a comet in my life and I’ll always remember her. Her life was too short. But her energy was so bright and will stay lit in all who were so lucky to have met her.
My absolute condolences to her family and friends.

I attended high school with Sarah. I heard about her passing a few years ago with some sorrow. She and I were friends. She was always kind, compassionate and shined with a bright intensity. The world is a lesser place without her in it.