Sept. 22, 2010
The
Chronicle
Ishan Bose Pyne
News A11
1994 - 2010
“I have been very inquisitive all my life. I have always had a love of learning. I would question many things varying from why there is sometimes dew in the morning, or how an airplane flies, or even more ethical questions such as why wars are fought and why different people are given different opportunities for success in their lives.” —Ishan Bose-Pyne
Printed With permission of Micah Sperling
Memories
Friends and teachers recall their fondest memories of Ishan. They remember him as an eternally happy kid and a loyal friend with an infectious smile.
H
ere goes. My most fond memory of Ishan was one day when I walked by the combo rehearsal, and it looked like a zoo in the room. The guitar player was blasting out a rock tune, the bass player was eating Doritos, the drummer was texting his girlfriend, the second guitar player was trying to organize everyone, and through all of that, I heard the most pretty classical piano sonata. Something by Mozart. It was Ishan. He decided to tune everyone else out and just play. He always just loved to play. He was a great guy and I will miss him.
I
—Shawn Costantino Jazz teacher
F
or days I didn’t know what to feel or think or believe, and I couldn’t stop thinking about him or staring at his Facebook page. It was only at his funeral, on Sept. 16, when his mother gave her entire speech without shedding a single tear that I began to achieve anything remotely close to understanding. Not that I understood why something this horrible could happen to someone like Ishan—I still don’t understand that and I never will. But when his mother said that Ishan wouldn’t have wanted us to cry, that he would have wanted us to be out celebrating who he was and the joy he brought us during his brief
Reprinted with permission of Shonali Bose
stint on this Earth…well, that really spoke to me. Judging from what I’ve heard from the other people who were there, I’m FAR from the only one. So, Ishan, if you’re reading this, I’m studying worms/jellyfish/plant anatomy for you, not for anyone else, and though you may be gone, you will never be forgotten, not by me or anyone who knew you well enough to be affected by this tragic event; in other words, anyone who spoke to you, ever. Have fun with that giant chessboard in the sky!
t was always a privilege to have his warm and hilarious presence during Chess club, filling the room with sounds of laughter and banging clocks. Ishan’s favorite chess opening move was known as the Dragon, a symbol of his fierce competitive spirit. Ishan’s weapon was feared throughout chess club and he quickly amassed a following of people who were eager to learn from him. By the end of the year, Ishan had taught many people this powerful strategy. Even in rated chess tournaments, where the directors are adamant about keeping quiet, Ishan always seemed to be followed by laughter. It was obvious that Ishan’s presence always evoked laughter and joy, no matter where he was. Overall, it is clear that Ishan was one of the brightest and most unique people we have ever known. His presence will surely be missed and the halls of Seaver will be forever empty without the sounds of Ishan’s laughter. —Rishi Bagrodia ’12, Adit Gadh ’12, Cheston Gunawan ’12 and Garrett Ishida ’12
—Dani Bork ’12 North Hollywood High School
Bose-Pyne‘lived life to the fullest’ from Bose-Pyne, A1 Bose-Pyne’s mastery of chess was noticed immediately by all who dared to play with him, but his friends said that even though Bose-Pyne won nearly every game with sharp concentration, his “goofy” personality was never far away. Matt Heartney ’12 said that Bose-Pyne was always several moves ahead during one of their chess games and easily bested Heartney. “I couldn’t stay mad for long because when I looked up from the board Ishan was belting out a full body laugh,” Heartney said. Bose-Pyne’s passion for academics was evident to all of his teachers, including his Choices and Challenges teacher President Thomas Hudnut. Hudnut said that “resident in this one boy” were all of the qualities teachers admire in their students, including curiosity of mind and a fervent interest in learning. “He had not just a twinkle in his eye,” Hudnut said. “He had a real sparkle.” School Psychologist Luba Bek, who team taught
Bose-Pyne’s Choices and Challenges classes with Hudnut, said Bose-Pyne fit in from the first day, even as a new sophomore. “Peer pressure wasn’t for him,” Bek said. “He knew who he was and who he valued and what choices you needed to make in life.” “A good teacher is supposed to keep track of all the new kids at Harvard-Westlake,” Bose-Pyne’s Honors Chemistry teacher Chris Dartt said. “Mrs. Adegbile called and asked if Ishan was fitting in and I thought, ‘This lady’s crazy. She’s got the wrong name.’” Bose-Pyne’s effusive smile permeated throughout the memories of Bose-Pyne from family, friends and teachers alike. “Even the days that were nothing special, Ishan was always there, laughing,” Colin Campbell ’12 said. “He did what he did simply because he loved to do it.” While Bose-Pyne was reading Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” last year, English teacher Ariana Kelly had her students act out various scenes. When it came time to act out a scene between Olivia and Viola, the class insisted that Bose-Pyne play Olivia.
Printed with permission of Micah Sperling
After initially resisting the request to play a Shakespearean female, Bose-Pyne gave in. “He did it with gusto because he knew it would make us laugh,” Kelly said. “He knew it would make us happy. I was consciously thankful every day last year that he was a member of my English class.” Another student in the class video-taped the scene in question and it was played at the memorial service in Chalmers. “There are some people in this world that are such evolved souls,” Bose said. “Ishan was one of them. We can’t have them on this earth for long.” “He’s thrilled right now,” Bose said at the memorial service. “He’s like, ‘This has been the most kickass service.’”