AS THIS is my last column, I want to thank a number of people who have helped me along the way.
First off, I want to thank everyone at the Cav Daily for all of their help and support over the years.
I also want to thank everyone I have lived with over the years. With my personality and idiosyncrasies, it cannot be easy to live with me. Ashwin, that was one small room first year in Bonnycastle, but overall I think it was a positive experience.
Matt Kidd: it has been great becoming friends with you over the years. You are a great guy, and I am sure that our friendship will continue well beyond college.
Markus: You are one of the most unique people I have met at U.Va. Remember to graduate eventually, and I look forward to chilling with you in the future.
Zack: You have always seemed to live close to me. Be it next door my first year, across the street my second year and in the same apartment for the last two years. I am happy that I became friends with you, and while living with you has been very tough at times, I appreciate your friendship.
Chris Han: You are a great roommate; I hope you enjoy working at Microsoft over the summer.
While thanking people, I want to give a shout out to all of Bonnycastle 1R. Many of my friends at the University to this day were from the BC1R and are mentioned in this column, so thank you all for making a shy out-of-stater feel part of something.
In terms of extracurriculars, I want to mention Best Buddies. This is a group which seeks to set up friendships between U.Va. students and adults from the community with intellectual disabilities. I had the privilege to be president of it this past year. I want to thank my fellow officers, Jen, Bethany and Paige. I also want to thank my predecessors Hank and Kevin, as well as Pam Fisher who is the heart and soul of the organization.
For one and a half years I coached youth soccer through Madison House with Royden. Royden: I have enjoyed becoming friends with you and I hope to stay in touch. Best of luck next year!
I was lucky enough to come to U.Va. and already have two friends here. Lamar: everyone on campus seems to know you, but I consider it an honor to have been your friend since freshman biology in high school. Dave Bander: You truly are the last intellectual. Good luck at Vanderbilt.
I also want to thank my family. Without the generosity of my grandparents, I would not have been able to afford to come here. I also want to thank my parents, my sister Miriam and my dog Betsy for all of their support.
The final two people I want to thank are perhaps the most influential and important. First off, Aaron Fox. Aaron was perhaps my closest friend at U.Va. He took his own life last year over spring break. Aaron: Thank you for you friendship, and to this day I am so sorry that I was not able to help you. I will always remember you.
On a much happier note, I want to mention my girlfriend Lily. We have been going out for a year and a half, and she is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I look forward to a lifetime of happiness with her.
For those interested, I will be at Cornell Law School next year.
Good luck, Class of 2003!
(Harris Freier was a 2000-2003 opinion columnist.)
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