Celebrating Mark
Published on The Pride Online on October 14, 2015
About: My first assignment for the year entailed finding a way to cover the sudden death of a student. I knew immediately that I wanted to make this slideshow with pictures, words and comforting scriptures. Writing the article about Mark was interesting because I didn't know him very well, even though he was in some of my classes, so I had to find out information from his friends. The quotes also came in very handy because it allowed people to hear what Mark meant to them and how they would remember him. I received help from my adviser, Brandy Caton, to ensure that the wording was correct and that I had no mistakes, since it was a very sensitive and important story.
Article
Mark Lewis, a senior who passed away unexpectedly on the second day of school, was in his second year at HGC. From the time he began here he was quickly accepted and befriended by many because of his friendly and encouraging personality to everyone in the hallways, classrooms, football field and basketball court.
Lewis was known for his kindness, sweetness, and his ability to make people laugh. Inside and out of class he could lift the stress off of people’s shoulders by lightening the mood.
“The thing I will miss about Mark is his personality” senior Victoria Holtzclaw said, a friend and classmate. “Nearly every conversation I had with him involved him putting a smile on my face. He was a joy to be around and a truly irreplaceable friend.”
“Mark was an amazing basketball and football player, always working hard to train and practice, giving 110% to whatever he set his mind to,” seniors Joshua Mcnamara and Zachary Rice said. He could jump extremely high, which allowed him to be known for his dunking.
Ever since they were young, Mark and Darren Michael were close friends. Mark himself even said that their relationship was inseparable, stating that they had “been through more than blood brothers” and that they were “there for each other no matter what”.
After Lewis passed, Michael was quoted from a post on social media talking about their relationship and expressing his feelings.
“We said I love you every night and hugged it out, even during our fights”, he said, reminiscing. “You were and are still my brother. And I can’t stop saying I love you Mark, because I love you more than anything on this earth.”
Lewis also made an impression on the basketball court. Football and basketball Coach Gaines said that “[Mark was] very passionate on the court or the field. always wanted to be the best. He was always talking to players to see how he could give advice and help.”
Coach Gaines was Mark’s basketball and football coach, and when he asked about how he was dealing with his passing, he said “Honestly being in disbelief. I think about the what-ifs. I always think about his accomplishments and goals to go play college ball and if this hadn’t happened I know he would have reached that goal based on his work ethic and determination.”
Mark’s personality and attitude radiated wherever he went and touched other people, bringing much happiness and allowing them to enjoy life in the moment through laughter. As said by Zachary Rice on Twitter, school will not be the same without him, and his presence in all of his classes will be missed.
