I have pondered what to write for nine months. While going through pictures recently, I found a lot of black mail! As I looked over some of the most fun times of my life, I couldn’t help but to cry. Not for myself, or for lost times of wreckless abandonment, but for times I cannot reminisce with Kasie. I know many of us miss this, so I’m going to give it a whirl!

My first encounter with Kasie was at a KD rush function. I didn’t really see Kasie, I saw a life size dancing bear having the time of her life. As I was trying to be cool and glance around the room (trying to check out just what these girls were all about) I couldn’t help but wonder, which of these prissy girls put on a bear costume for rush! Then I figured they hired someone…as the party went on and I mingled and kept that perma-grin glued to my face, the dancing bear came over to me. Oh no, what will I talk about with the bear I thought! She took the huge head off and smiled at me. It was Kasie. Sweaty, stringy hair, and smiling; she said, “This is what we really look like on Saturday mornings!” I instantly knew I wanted to be a KD, AND be her friend.

As I became a KD things were new and uncertain. As a pledge, Kasie and Kristin were our pledge trainers. I don’t know who exactly thought that was a good idea (probably the same people who thought they would make good social chairs!) but I took comfort in knowing the “bear” would be there. As we all settled in and started our cheesy get to know you activities, Kasie was so excited to really be playing these name games. Song time came; Kasie and Kristin sang us the song we had to “memorize” as pledges. Brakes squeaking, fingernails on a chalkboard sound better than this rendition of Sha La La! As they sang, they laughed. As pledges, we were up next. Ugh! Only a few girls really could sing, so we began. It was AWFUL! So Kasie joined in and sang louder and louder to drown out specific voices on the sha la la part, so no one would feel embarrassed.

Another great time I can distinctly recall, involved nine, ten or some big number of bean soup! Kasie and Kristin had a crock pot in their dorm room, UNDER their beds. They would cook up a pot to share with everyone. What they thought was a great idea, was a bad one to everyone else on the hall. The beans cooking would smell up the entire floor! But no one would find this funnier than Kasie. She would smile as she shared her smelly bean soup!

Luau is the spring semi-formal KD would have each year. One particular year, Kasie had a grand plan for a big group of us to take the “Home Team!” She matched everyone up with a member of the Home Team, and we all gladly obliged. This was Kasie’s perfect date function; all of her “boy” friends would be there. She arranged for us all to spend the night at the “Farm” on Friday night and then we all headed to Sugar Mountain on Saturday. Friday is where the “fun” began. The guys decided that we needed TWO kegs and not one. TROUBLE! Kasie arranged for me to go with Bob…(sorry Bob) who Kasie later dubbed B-O-B A-@-%. He wasn’t the best date, but what man could after two kegs. That weekend entailed Tommy joining the band and renaming it “Cookies and Cream.” Then he followed it up by sending roses to our next meeting. Glasses were thrown from the balcony at Sugar Top, and the list goes on. ?! She helped make the best of everyone’s flubbed dates. Through all of the chaotic fun each person who went, had a great time and left with stories we would all laugh and recall together.

As many of you know, Kasie meant and still means so much to so many people. It is truly amazing how many people she touched in different ways. We are fortunate to reap the friendships she created through her charisma and caring. While talking with Kasie, I felt like I had her undivided attention. I know many of us feel this way. As I go on each day, many times I sit and think how we should strive to be like this beautiful person. We should DO new things, TRY new things, MAKE THE BEST out of everything, LOVE everything, LOVE everybody, LIVE each day to the fullest, HAVE FUN, and most of all ENJOY everything. Kasie did all of that and more, and for that I thank her for teaching me some of life’s greatest lessons.

Angie