"Tree of Life" by Nell Choi '27:
In Memory of Mrs. Carr
Anyone who has had the privilege of being her student knows what a special person she is. Each day, we got to be part of her world. Whether it be sitting in her hot-pink beanbags while watching movies on Stonehenge, catching her contagious fascination with ancient Egypt, or feeling a rush of excitement each time she pulled out the famous “butt box”... we have felt Mrs Carr’s unforgettable love, passion, and spunk.
I’ve realized it’s never too late to tell her how much I love her, how much more confident I’ve become because of her, and to remember the laughter we shared when chatting about our spoiled cats.
Mrs. Carr may have left this life, but her spirit and her legacy lives on. We all carry a little piece of her—her wisdom, her love, her memory—inside of us.
we are still connected
maybe more separate than before but
life - death
doesn’t mean that
love and memory
disappear.
_________________
Matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
Life is a cycle. Death isn’t a fixed ending; it creates space for new beginnings.
So much of this cycle happens beneath the surface. When organisms die, they don’t simply vanish; rather, they take on another vital role in our ecosystem. Although they no longer appear in their recognizable form, they become the decomposed matter that nourishes the growth of new plants.
This piece represents how life and death are more interconnected than we realize.
The roots of the tree represent the legacy of those who came before us, the people who have inspired us on a deeper level. Even if they are not physically present, we draw upon their strength and wisdom, and we preserve their memories by telling their stories. These roots ground us, connect us to our values, and offer the stability to branch out in new directions.
-Nell Choi '27