Arcadia High School (AHS) was hit with tragic news on May 19; junior Jiarui (Aaron) Dai, a member of Symphony Orchestra and Seniors of Merit at Work, passed away due to an unexpected medical incident. In remembrance, The Arcadia Quill asked AHS students and all who knew Dai to share messages to him and memories about him. Respondents were given the option to remain anonymous, as this news was very sudden and difficult to process.
“Aaron always told me I was his first friend. I never really said thank you to him for the years together. I wish I did. Just to rewind time and relive the memories[,] I remember playing punchball together for hours on end in elementary [school]. I remember when he taught my friend how to play the violin, and we cackled the whole time. I remember going to the restroom together and asking ‘would you rather eat a million dollars or eat a million dollars?’. He always liked Forrest Gump’s saying, ‘Life was like a box of chocolates…you never know what you’re gonna get.'” — Tyler Chin, 11
“He is truly the most caring and attentive individual I’ve ever met. He remembered every little thing I ever told him and he always did his absolute best to help out even when no one asked him to. He always made sure to check in on me because he noticed that I forget to hydrate when I’m busy. There were multiple nights where he fought hard to stay awake just because he wanted to be there and support me while I studied for my tests. He was there to support me through the lowest moments in my life and he motivated me to be the best version of myself.
To Aaron, I need you to know how happy you made me every time you told me how much you looked up to me and that you were proud of how far I’ve come. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you, thank you for everything.” — Charlene Pau, 12
“He was one of the funniest guys in my friend group and was always coming up with the most ridiculous and hilarious jokes. He was very caring and very chill when it came to serious things, and I specifically remember a funny Russian dance he came up with during [sixth] grade PE. I also vividly remember the time at a friend’s K1 Speed birthday party, he kept on hogging the middle of the road and I had to keep swerving around him…
I really wish I spoke to him more this year.” — Ankur Marri, 11
“Aaron, thank you for becoming a part of our life, we will all remember you.” — Tim Chen, 10
“Hi Aaron, I never got to know you, but everyone in SMW appreciates your service and dedication to the community. Thank you so much for everything!” — Grace Huang, 12
“I met Aaron the day before his passing, and I would have loved to gotten to know him better. I was at the [O]rchestra [C]ouncil meeting and and I remember Aaron introducing himself as the [D]irector[‘]s [A]ssistant. He was passionate about his job and put a lot of effort into the [O]rchestra community. Aaron seemed like such a kind soul, and if I joined [O]rchestra [C]ouncil, it seemed like we would be friends. It’s hard to hear about his passing as I just met him that day. I give my heart and condolences to his friends, family[,] and everyone whose lives [have] changed because of him. Aaron, I want to say that you are loved and have so many families, friends, and strangers giving their hearts to you. Rest in peace and fly high. 🕊️” — A.T., 9
“Hi Aaron! Thank you for all the wonderful memories and time that we shared. I enjoyed laughing, cracking jokes, and bonding with you as stand partners, which even continued to our post stand partner days. Thank you for all of the support you gave me whether it was academics, music, athletics, school organization apps, and college apps! You were always a cheerleader. Over the years, I have seen you accomplish so many things and continue to be an amazing person. Love you and I miss your smile. Keep a list of accomplishments so when we meet again, you can update me (and make me proud like always). Also, please save the seat next to you so that when we meet again, we can be stand partners and play Moorside Suite again and Video Game Music (continuing our last conversation about college video game ensembles). I remember how you mentioned that you wanted to have lots of fun in college, so I promise I will have fun during the remainder of my college career in honor of you. See you when we meet again!” — Juliana Wong, Alumna
“I didn’t know him personally, but I[‘]ve heard great things about him. Someone I know said he was so funny and just the most kind hearted person they [k]new…I [never] met him or knew him[,] but [I] send my [condolences] and wish the best for his family and friends.” — Anonymous
“Hi, we never talked before, but I know how much my friends cared about you. And I also know how much happiness and kindness you brought to them. I wanted to [t]hank you for taking care of my friends. Rest easy, Aaron.” — Anonymous
“[I remember when] we used to dig holes in the back field of…Hugo Reid [Elementary School].” — Darren Lei, 10
May 22 Update:
“I always appreciated that you came to class with such a positive attitude, starting with your greeting at the door each day. It was clear how loved you were because someone was always walking you to class and your classmates were always excited to talk to you. [Period 6] was a class I genuinely looked forward to ending my day with, and you were a big part of what made it so special. The personalities in that room fit together so naturally, and the class was always filled with laughter. It was often my loudest class but in the best way. Things are not the same without you, you are deeply missed by all of us.” — Ms. Guadalupe Rodriguez, Spanish Teacher
“Aaron, I want to say that Eric and I loved the time we spent in PE 10 last year playing frisbee, soccer, and others. I remembered how you asked me whether AP Physics would be too difficult to take yet your face brightened when you said you wanted to become an engineer; I remembered you claiming yourself as a fan of Matthew Tang everyday in our English 9 table group; I remembered you saying hi to me and wishing me good luck just a week ago before the AP CSA exam…I’ve never doubt[ed] that one day we will meet again in a different world, and by then, hopefully we can become friends once again, as we always are.” — Gary Li, 11
“I met Aaron at the beginning of last summer through Orchestra Council. This past year, I got to hang out with him and volunteer with him and just got to know him in general. He is super caring and always checks up on you to make sure you are okay. He told me to always stay motivated. When I was telling him how I really wanted to push myself next year, he said ‘[Don’t] make your mindset rigid, don[‘]t be disappointed, if you fall a bit oh my god it feels terrible, but it[‘]s still a good learning experience.’ Thank you so much Aaron for all the advice and all the support you’ve given me since we’ve met. Man, I just really wish I got one last real conversation with you. Thanks for all the laughs. I’ll never give up.” — Derek Wang, 10
June 2 Update:
“I’ve had the distinct pleasure of being Aaron’s orchestra teacher the last [three] years, as well as his conductor for the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra…Aaron came in with a lot going for him already. He was a skilled violinist, starting off in Concert Orchestra, the highest orchestra a freshman could be in. He was quiet, respectful, responsible…just a really nice kid. I could tell he was intelligent and well-liked by his peers and loved making music with them. I could trust that he would do the right thing, and sometimes that’s all you really want as a teacher, but as I got to know him better, I started to see the quirky, fun parts of his personality come out.
In [O]rchestra, we often have activities that involved dressing up, like themed days at music camp, Winter and [POPS] Concerts, and the Orchestra Benefit Dinner. This year, our theme was Broadway, and I had dressed as Elphaba with green paint all over my face, which was a lot, but he was the only one in the room that matched and surpassed the amount of color I had with all the blue on his face and hands as he dressed as the genie from Aladdin. He loved any excuse to dress up and would go all out, not just for himself but because he saw that it brought other people joy. He hung out in the [O]rchestra room after school on most days, and sometimes I’d just walk by and he’d just sit there and let his friends put makeup on his face [because] he was a good sport and just let them do whatever [because] it made them happy.
This year, Aaron served as the Director’s Assistant on Orchestra Council, so I got to interact with him outside the classroom setting on a regular basis. He loved to just be around and help out with whatever was necessary….I could trust that whatever random things I asked him to do, like research and compare prices of file cabinets, he’d be able to do. He loved serving the [O]rchestra program, to help his classmates, to make things better for others, to help his teachers…One of his responsibilities was to keep the calendars updated in the classroom and in my office. On the afternoon before he passed, he was in my office, and he said he was going to miss updating the calendar next year. I said, ‘You know you can still run for Director’s Assistant again, and you wouldn’t have to miss it,’ and his whole face lit up. For some reason he thought he wasn’t allowed to run for the same position again, but once he heard he might have the chance to do his job again, he was so happy. I’ll always remember that look on his face. He had such a bright smile. Not just that day, but every day I saw him. I will miss that smile, but every time I hear that Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars song we performed for him at the [POPS] Concert, I’ll think of him. ‘Aaron Dai, With A Smile.'” — Ms. Pin Chen, Orchestra Director
