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The Blue and Gold Graduation 2015
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maldenblueandgold.com
“Lesson of a Lifetime” by Devon Laudadio I
A contest run by the Malden High School English department awarded the student with the best college essay. Below is the winning essay, which was written by senior Devon Laudadio. Laudadio’s essay focused on his relationship with English teacher Robin Doherty as he overcame the loss of his best friend, Julia Vanella, who passed from a car accident on January 11th, 2014.
met her on the first day of English class freshman year. Julia was sitting in the back row of desks by herself on her phone--that was one thing that never changed over the years, her obsession with her phone. I sat down next to her and she started laughing because she said I looked scared of her. I think that was the moment we really clicked. How could I be scared of someone with such beautiful blue eyes and dimples more prominent than I’ve ever seen before? I smirked and said back to her “Don’t flatter yourself” followed by a pathetic attempt at a wink. We sat next to each other all year and we laughed at the stupidest things; we sprayed her perfume into our Odyssey books because they smelled like feet, and I think that’s when Mr. Evans had his breaking point--he told us that we couldn’t sit next to each other and asked me to move to a seat on the opposite side of the room. Julia told him that we were a package deal and that you couldn’t move one without the other, but I moved to that seat on the opposite side of the room-- it was only for the remainder of that class period; I was back in my original seat the next day. It was about a week, maybe two or so after Julia had passed away. (I remember hearing about the car accident, the falling snow...) Ms. Doherty and I had formed a good relationship since the end of sophomore year and I visited her at least once a day. After having Julia in class along with myself, I felt like Ms. Doherty would be able to understand what I was feeling. I went into
Above: Robin Doherty and Devon Laudadio. Photo submitted by Laudadio her room one morning and unexpectedly broke down in front of her. I’ve never been one to cry, especially in front of people, and I felt like I was making her feel uncomfortable. A few deep breaths later, I was back to carrying on one of our lighthearted conversations that we so frequently had. She looked at me and told me that I was so strong. She probably doesn’t remember saying this but it’s stuck with me ever since. Hearing from a mentor that I impressed her in some way or another was a moment that I’ll never forget. Now, whenever I’m having a bad day, I think back to that moment, take a deep breath, and carry on. It amazes me now to think that I actually disliked Ms. Doherty’s class at the beginning of sophomore year because Julia was the one friend I had in that class and Ms. Doherty caught on to that real quick. I think it was just a few weeks into classes when she had already moved my seat away from her. But again, Julia
somehow managed to find a seat next to me before we finished the remainder of the year. With each class we had together, Julia and I grew closer and closer. Her laugh became the sound track of the years to come that we were fortunate enough to share together. Our friendship continued to grow and develop into something that no four walls of any classroom could contain. Julia has taught me that knowing the ending of things can prevent you from experiencing wonderful things. I’ve learned to go at life head on, taking the good with the bad, and most certainly not trying to anticipate the ending of things. It took months of anger, frustration, and hurt before I remembered what Julia taught me. Had I known our ending, I wouldn’t have been fortunate enough to have shared all of the beautiful, and sometimes frightful, experiences that we withstood together.
Julia’s father, mother, and younger sister have set up a scholarship fund in memory of her.
Above: A photo taken at the memorial held at Malden High School in honor of Julia Vanella. Photo by James Mazarakis.
From top to bottom: A photo submitted by Laudidao of himself and Vanella. Vanella’s dance shoes on display during the memorial. Photos of Vanella submitted by her friends for her memorial page in January 2014.
"Although Julia isn't here with us physically anymore her soul will forever live within all of us. Her goal was to keep everyone happy and that's exactly what everyone who was blessed enough to have her in their life should strive for, not only for ourselves but for Julia. Julia would be devastated knowing that everyone is hurting the way we are. Our memories with her will live with us until it's our time, and so will her beautiful smile and huge dimples that brightened up the darkest days. DSP and the three amigos will strive forever -Gabriella, Devon, Roberto, Gui, Huy, Casey, & Charlee