This past weekend marked the one-year anniversary of the passing of our classmate Jack Hair. 

This year has brought challenges and tears that none of us would have been able to expect. During those moments, I have done much reflection about the past year and about our classmate. 

Jack was not just a member of our grade, but he was part of the family of the class of 2026. Every single person in our grade has been impacted by Jack, and he will stay in our memories forever. 

While graduation and prom are coming around the corner, it is easy for me to think about all of the things he will miss. But I remind myself that I must focus on all of the wonderful things he did do. 

I have known Jack since first grade, so in a way, we grew up together. My camera roll has photos of us during play dates and field trips. We spent hours together in class or birthday parties – one of which he brought in animals to his house, including a snake, that he calmly touched while I was sitting terrified in the corner. Even then, he was braver than I. So many of those memories seemed like simple days back then, but are cherished memories now. 

Jack could make me laugh even when I was tired or bored. My favorite memories from Junior year include the jokes between him and Rupert or Bylan in French class. Our classroom’s laughter could be heard around the halls after yet another chair was broken. 

In my sophomore year, we had a French assignment where we had to film a movie where we wondered what the start of the book “L’étranger” by Albert Camus would be about. When filming, we wanted to have Jack drive a bus, but obviously, they were locked. Jack was not stopped by this fact; he walked down to the offices of the bus drivers and asked Percy if Jack could pretend to drive the bus. And Percy let him. Even then, that small moment left a deep impact on me. I saw how Jack had made these deep connections with ease, and had no fear to ask to achieve something he wanted. 

His life was defined by this driven, go-getter mentality: he built an entire car, was an avid was an avid member of the Boy
Scouts, invested in stocks, hiked so many mountains, and did so much more.

In our French videos, he is smiling so much. His smile has been something we have all missed. In so many photos and memories of him, he smiles his big smile. 

While I never saw him play or ref at FlagStar Football, I did know that his favorite team was the Seattle Seahawks. When I went to Seattle for the first time this summer, I felt a connection to him, feeling his smile once again. 

When I sat in my living room a few weeks ago, wearing my Seahawks shirt, watching the final whistle blow at the Super Bowl, I couldn’t help but cry. I know that they won it for Jack. Wherever he is, I know that he helped get them there and helped them win. 

I feel an ache in my heart whenever I realize that these are all the memories I will get with him, but I am still so grateful that I did get them. I am thankful that I got to hear his laugh and see his smile. 

You don’t realize how much someone matters in your life until they are gone. I wish, like us all, that I had gotten more time with him. I wish I had told him how much he made my days better. I wish I had been there for him. 

As I look into the next few months, I know that we will pass milestones that he should have been there for. But I also know that he was part of the reasons that we will pass them. While he won’t be there physically, I know that he lives within all of our hearts. 

Jack, we all miss you and will never forget you. 

FlagStar Football has set up the Jack Hair Award that is given to a high school staff member at FlagStar who honors Jack’s legacy of hard work, determination, and care. If you can, any support is appreciated. 

By Cate Taylor