[Erika White, Alli Stewart, Sarah Farney, Emily Jardine, Emily Cook, Taryn Apgood, Jessica Reeder, Chantel Richards, Jessica Hadfield, Whitney Holbrook, Rachel Barker, Alli Hale, Jessica Marrow, Whitney Johnson, Chelsea, Angela Gottschall]

I was pretty unsure of myself in High school, I suppose this is not unique – but parts of high school were fairly painful due to this fact. As I watched Chelsea through this time I wished I could move through those times with as much grace and maturity as she. I would suspect that if we were to ask Chelsea how she felt she faired those 4 years she may not agree, but to the world around her she shown with a love that so many of us were not so confident to share.

I have struggled to think of any particularly poignant memories of Chelsea, I was not a close friend having many social interactions outside of school, but I did have seminary with Chels our senior year. We shared many conversations during that period and my admiration for this young woman grew. We talked about our busy lives keeping up with the exciting social obligations that came with being a senior, Chelsea as our class president. I remember so well her telling me about the exciting trip she would be taking to Africa to render service the upcoming summer – something of this nature had never crossed my mind! I recall thinking how absolutely awesome she was to do such a thing – and from there she set a standard for new goals and needed accomplishments for me.

I remember feeling so excited and flattered when invited to Chelsea’s house during the Christmas season our freshman year of college, to gather with some of our girl friends from high school. Chelsea and others had arranged an opportunity to render service. Again, at a time when life felt so overwhelming, figuring out how to be an adult, Chelsea was setting an example of what comes first, and again for me this became an example of something that should become a regular part of life.

When I saw Karen at Chelsea’s viewing, heart broken all I could say through my emotion was, “she was so nice to me”. Such a simple phrase and even adolescent, but something I cannot begin to express through limiting words what it meant to me. At a time where kindness and sincerity seemed a thing so impossible to receive from others at times, Chelsea was sure to show her kindness, acceptance, and love. She warmed my heart and made me feel comfortable in an uncomfortable time. It did not go unappreciated Chelsea.

Love,

Jessica Hadfield

PS - just had a thought of Chelsea in Pep-club, started to laugh. Chelsea you gave those marches the best you had and no one can say your heart wasn't in it. ;)