In Memoriam: A Virtual Vigil For Our Friends

All semester, the Penn community has mourned the tragic deaths of Madison, Kevin and Josh. On Thursday, our colleagues at Street published a pertinent and moving feature related to the topic. Today, Under the Button presents the submissions we received when we asked readers to provide memories of our lost peers. As we continue to grieve, their friends, acquaintances and classmates pay tribute with love:

"Madison, Kevin and Josh: You are all beautiful reminders of how fragile life is. Rest in peace. You will never be forgotten."

Josh Singh

"I met Josh last year, walked into a room where he was hanging out and was immediately invited to have a beer with him. From the first moment he made me laugh--he had a way of being goofy and hilarious in any situation. As I got to know him it became apparent that he was a special type of kid: he had overcome so much adversity in his life, and instead of brooding on it he just kept a smile on. His laugh was infectious; it was something special to see him light up a room. We can only hope he found peace at last; god knows he deserved it."

"I didn't know you well at all. But, you were a great friend to a dear friend of mine and that means the world to me. Rest In Peace."

"I remember when we first met, I didn't like Josh very much. Thankfully, with time, I was able to see the kind and respectful ways that Josh could bring. He was always a great and nice person to someone who wasn't always happy or the best. He was fun, incredibly intelligent and good to his friends. He will be missed dearly."

"The first time I met Josh was during summer session. I was cooking breakfast in my underwear, and he suddenly rose from the couch covered in cake. He was our subletter's best friend, and, even though I kept reminding him of this event, we became very close friends that summer. RIP you joker.

Madison Holleran

"I was blessed enough to speak with Madison for just a few minutes during the first round of sorority recruitment. After talking to over a dozen girls that day, she stood out the most in my mind on account of her genuineness- huge smile, laughter, and honest interest in the conversation. In those 10 minutes she brightened my day. I cannot fathom the pain of those who knew her for more than 10 minutes; her friends, teammates, and family along with the entire community have lost an amazing human being. I am so sorry. 'Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.'"

"I'm an RA in the Quad and although I didn't know Madison, I am so moved by the number of students that did. I have never seen such displays of appreciation for one person here at Penn, where all too often we think of each other as competition more so than friends. The Holleran Family should know what an impact their gorgeous daughter made on the Class of 2017, and how much she is already missed. As a senior, I have never been more proud of the Penn community and what it stands for, and am so grateful to call this campus my home."

"As a new student to Penn myself, I think I can empathize with having to suddenly deal with the stress you're not use to or that you didn't know was possible--not just from being in an environment surrounded by brilliant peers, but also from the stress that you put upon yourself to will yourself to be at their level. It is exhausting and depressing and lonely and difficult to live with. I didn't know you at all (probably never would have) and only do now because of this tragic story. But as you look down from heaven above, please know that you will be a source of inspiration for me to continue my time at Penn with the belief that I belong here and that in this ironic struggle to get a Penn education, I am not alone--that the person next to me likely feels all the stresses that I feel. 'Isn't it funny, how day by day nothing changes but, when we look back, everything is different.' - C.S Lewis."

"Your smile changed a life."

"I remember working on a Sociology Project with Madison. We had to do some act of 'deviance' and our group chose carrying around a stuff animal for the day. She carried around Pooh Bear for a day, and then voluntarily for another day so she could get more data. She was always added a cheery brightness to our group and really made what could have been a super embarrassing experience really fun. She is greatly missed and I hope she is resting in peace."

Kevin Zhao

"'Keep on Keeping on, and Fight the Good Fight' - Kevin Zhao."

Wendy Shung

"Wendy was my GA in Hill College House. On the first day that we arrived in our suite at Hill, we named ourselves 'Wendy's Wolfpack.'"

Arya Singh

"We still miss you."

Tom Hartford

"It's about to be your one year anniversary. As much as I miss you, you have taught me to never take a moment for granted. Your vivacious spirit lives on in my memory"