As many are learning, a fellow Odyssey writer and a dear pledge sister of mine passed away early Sunday afternoon. This horrible news has completely devastated the ACU campus and the women’s social club of GATA. Katie had only been a GATA for five days, but the impact she has made on us is one that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. The following is an open letter for my dear sister Katie.
Sweet Katie,
Words cannot describe the pain that each and every one of us are experiencing. All I can say is that I am just so confused; I’m confused why one the kindest souls I have ever met was taken from us so soon. You were such a light Katie, probably one of the brightest diamonds GATA has ever known. You were always the first one to pick others up when they were down, you never failed to make us laugh, and you were genuine in every aspect of your life. Pledging and bonding with you was a privilege, to know you was an honor and to love you was a true gift. I speak for a majority of our pledge class when I say I think we will deep-down always be looking for you to walk in at our club meetings and events.
The sisterhood we have developed in GATA and in our pledge class is something so unbelievably beautiful. You were such an important part of that sisterhood and you will live on through us forever. 70 new sisters can be a lot to comprehend, and some people were closer than others, but no matter what we all genuinely love each other. No matter what happened (and oh man, did our pledge class go through some rough times) we all had a mutual love for one another. All 69 of us love you so much and 69 of us are still in complete shock over the loss of our sister.
I think a lot of people live with the fear that their life will be for not, that they won’t leave an impression on the world when they’re gone. But oh my gosh Katie, you left such an impact. The entire school is hurting; but through the tears and sorrow, your joy still shines through and the entire campus- every club, every grade, every major is bonded in your honor. Your kindness lives on in the compassion and support present all around. Your soul still illuminates this darkness. People love you so much, even those who didn’t know you are hurting. Someone even left a bouquet of flowers on the GATA fountain in your honor and we all started balling when we saw it. I can honestly say you will never be forgotten by any single one of us.
As someone who has not experienced something like this before, I just don’t know how to react. I feel numb; it’s a continuous cycle of silence, freak out, weep, repeat. You meant more to me than I can say; how could this have happened? I’m just so flustered and left with so many questions. It’s going to take us a while to actually take all of it in; and the pain may surround us for quite some time but you are in such a beautiful place- that I am sure of. You have opened the eyes and hearts of so many people; through this pain comes thankfulness. Thankfulness for you and the person you are and thankfulness for love in general. Thankfulness for GATA and the opportunity it gave each of us to know you and love you in the first place. People are hugging and loving one another, doing acts of kindness, and praying and blessing one another in honor of you, Katie. I will be praying for your family during this time. You can rest easy knowing that they are not alone; every GATA is extending their hands and prayers upon them and they are surrounded by love and compassion.
We rest in knowing that the Flamin’ Hot Chicas will all be reunited once again,
Maddy Campillo
