AmandaHansen

Monday, January 19, 2009 – HOW WEST SWIMMERS’ REMEMBER AMANDA

n  Coach Mike O'Connor - "I have known Amanda for over three years as her high school swim coach and Amanda was a fun, dedicated, determined young woman.  She set goals along with her teammates and she worked hard toward those goals every day.  She was a great teammate and friend.  As a freshmen and sophomore she hated some of the events I put her in but by the end of this junior season she loved them and was getting close to the ECIC cut times and I know for sure that she was going to make them next year.  She is missed by every single person on our team and I know that she will be there for us when we need just that little extra push at a tough meet next year like she was there cheering for them this year when we needed it.  Thanks Amanda for making it fun, challenging me, trusting me and doing your best for me, yourself and especially the team every single day.  I know everyone loved you so much!"

n  Taylor Whalen: "Amanda had one of the best personalities on our team, and her place on our team and in our hearts will never be forgotten."

n  Laura Kuroski: "Amanda was one of the most amazing people that I have met in my life time, Amanda and I swam in the 500 free together and we even made up our own 500 cheer. Amanda well me missed greatly by our whole team, we love you Amanda."

n  Rachel Webber: "Amanda was a truly amazing person. She had a great heart and knew how to make every girl on our team laugh. Her uplifting spirit touched everyone on our team and will be passed on in memory of her."

n  Kara Brodzinski: "Amanda and I have always swam in the same lane during practice and she always knew how to make us laugh. She always brought smiles to our faces no matter what. She was always cracking jokes about everything. Amanda is going really missed next season but her spirit will always be with us."

n  Maureen Chase: "Amanda and I would always make each other laugh. She was a beautiful and smart girl who didn’t let the littlest things bother her in life, we would always joke around and say Butch, or make our crazy X sign whenever we would see each other in the hall, this girl will be missed by many, we love you Amanda!"

n  Emily Ruppert: "Amanda and I were always laughing when we were together. We had so much fun in swim and at meets. Amanda and I both swam the 500 at our meets. We would always pep each other up before our races. Me her and two other people had our own little handshake for before we swam the 500 at a meet. We always did it no matter what. We were in the same math class always talking half the time. We had our jokes and laughs. She was my friend, the fashion queen. She always looked nice. Amanda darling you will be missed, truly missed by so many people. We all love you Manders!

n  Janine Reinagel “She was such a nice girl and always found a way to make people laugh.  It will be hard getting in the pool knowing she won’t.  She will be missed.”

n  Caitlin Morgante: "Amanda was one of a kind. Every practice she somehow made me laughed until my stomach hurt. She made our whole lane smile from all the games she made up [farm animal]. Even outside of swim she still would make my day by saying something outrageous in the halls. Amanda you will be missed so much, we love you!"

n  Taylor Randall: "Amanda had an amazing heart and always shined bright. Things will not be the same without her. I don't think she knows that she has made a wonderful impact on this team and she'll never be forgotten. We all love you Reggie!"

n  Amanda Knose: "Amanda was truly an amazing person. She definitely didn't have a personality that you could come across every day. She had the gift to make people smile and laugh no matter what the circumstances were. Amanda is greatly missed and thought about every day. She's made a huge difference in this team for the better. She's also shared many memories with all of us that we will never forget. Words honestly cannot describe what type of person Amanda was. We all love and miss you a ton, Amanda!"

n  Stephanie Sciarrino: "Amanda stuck out from the first day she showed up to swim. She was one of my favorite swimmers to talk to at any time because no matter what she could make you laugh and smile. I will always remember Amanda and love her forever just like every other person who got the chance to get to know her."

n  Erin Sullivan "Amanda was never afraid to be her true self and because of her outgoing and funny personality she was given the nickname Reggie and it stuck with her throughout her swimming years. I will always remember whenever practice was boring or hard you could always look over at Reggie and she would put a smile on your face.  Our coach would always remind us that we were more than a team that we were a family, and it is times like these that you really realize how much we really love and need each other. I will always love Reggie and will miss her forever."

n  Danielle Paul "There was never a dull moment when Amanda was around. She was one of the most random people that i ever met and that’s why we loved her. She was one of a kind and no one could ever take her place in our hearts. I will miss you always."

n  Rachel Colson "Amanda had a big smile that lit up the room. She had one of the biggest hearts. I really can't imagine a pool without her. She was somebody who made everybody laugh, and could cheer anybody up. Amanda was so talented at swim, and just kept moving forward. I will never forget the most hilarious faces she made, and every time I looked over into her lane, she was cracking up laughing. Math class and swim will never be the same without you Amanda. I really am going to miss you. You're not gone, because I know you'll always be a part of me, in my heart. I can't wait to see you again someday. This isn't a goodbye, it's more like a, see you soon."

n  Kaitlyn Schmidt "Amanda, Words cannot describe her.  You were always the highlight of our lane.  Amanda even the worst days you knew how to make us laugh.  Whether it was fun games or just your faces you made.  You definitely made my freshman year a lot of fun.  We will never forget her."

n  Alicia Wheeler "Amanda was a nice and caring person.  Swim next year won't be the same without her.  She made practice in lane two fun.  We made lane shirts at her house and spent most of practice deciding what we were going to do.  She won't be forgotten." 

n  Sam Dalka "Amanda will be truly missed. She always made me laugh and brought joy to the team. She was a great person and a great friend. Next year, practice is going to feel empty without her. She will be missed by everyone."

n  Rose Cusella "I met Amanda only a few months ago, but it certainly doesn't feel that way. I am going to miss her so much in practice next year; I won't be able to sit on the wall and laugh at her playing 'farm' with Schmitty. I will love and miss you forever."

n  Jess Bauer "Amanda's friendship was one of a kind. She was always making me laugh in and out of swim. I can't imagine swim without out her next year and our lane will never be the same. I will love and miss her forever. She will always be in my heart."

n  Alyssa Hessler "Amanda had such a great personality.  She always knew how to make everyone in our lane laugh.  She was kind and a wonderful friend to everyone."

n  Devon Sharvan "Amanda was one of my best friends, we have had so many amazing memories together. She always knew how to make me smile. I don’t know what I’m going to do without her now. I don’t understand why I’m not up there with her. She will be on my mind everyday, I will always love and miss her."

n  Kandice Fegley " My and Amanda's friendship was one of a kind....just like her. She had a smile that could light up the world and a personality to match. She was my best friend and I was hers. Nothing will ever be the same without her but I just know that she's smiling down on everyone. I will always love her and she will forever be in my heart.”

n  Courtney Otto “Amanda had a very outgoing personality and could always make a person laugh.  I miss her so much and she will forever be in our hearts.”

n  Nicole Feirabend “Amanda was not only a good swimmer.  She was a great person and she will be missed by everyone.”

n  Alyse Stevenson “She was a really exciting person who brought a happy atmosphere with her wherever she went.  She will be greatly missed.”

n  Jackie Schweikowsky This quote seems so fitting to me.  “If only the good times in life lasted longer than they actually are. Lauren Conrad.”

n  Caitlin Caruana " On a team of 30 girls who consider each other sisters Amanda knew exactly how to make us laugh, she has a special place in our hearts and will never be forgotten."

n  Megan Bridge " Amanda was the type of person who made a positive impact on everyone. No matter what happened, she always knew what to say to brighten the mood.”

n  Jaime Sciarrino "Amanda was like a sister to all of us. She was one of those girls that was always happy and always smiling. She was a huge part of the swim team and I know we will all miss her. She will be in all of our hearts"

n  Caitlin Lanigan "Amanda was an amazing girl who always made everyone laugh.  The team won't be the same without her. But she will be watching over us, every practice and every meet."