Tribute by Beth Schmiedlin

Todays #TributeTuesday comes from Elizabeth Schmiedlin, Claire's dorm counselor during her time at Culver Academies.
It has been a blessing to hear so many different people's stories about Claire, and getting to learn how she impacted so many lives. As always, thank you for your kind words.
"It is hard to understand how someone so good for this world could be taken from it so prematurely. No doubt, Claire's time here on earth was well spent, as is a testament to all that she has accomplished in her young life.
It was a privilege to be Claire’s dorm counselor for four years at Culver Academies. It was marvelous to watch her grow and navigate the world. She was full of joy and excitement with every new endeavor upon which she embarked: Dancevision, Leadership Committee for Africa, and Green Life, to name only a few. Everything she joined she joined with purpose and resolve. She was definitely not your typical teenager; she stood out. She stood for the good.
Claire was breath taking at first glance with her big brown eyes, porcelain skin and inviting smile. She was not unlike a beautiful work of art both inside and out: a gentle, demure and unassuming soul. Her pristine character, grace, poise, intelligence, youthful wisdom, wit and genuine concern for others gave way to an expression that could be studied, emulated, admired, looked upon from afar, and appreciated deeply. She was above reproach, a model citizen whose example proved that you could be both intelligent and beautiful, as well as nice. She embodied the good, and she made a difference in her 27 years. She captivated people with her joyful spirit, lifted them up, inspired the lost, and gave people hope, all in a way that made others comfortable.
Our Claire was beloved and treasured by all who had the privilege to work with her. We are better for having known her and I cannot help but think the fruits of her work are yet to be realized. Claire’s life has touch so many people that when contemplating all that she has championed as worthy of her time and efforts, I know she will inspire the masses to do more for this world; to give more intently, to make a difference, to be better people, which is exactly what our broken world needs. She will not be forgotten.
Thank you for sharing Claire with us. We will carry on her inspiring torch, and please know that we will continue to tell our girls at Culver Girls Academy about this one very exceptional graduate."