Seaking Solace After Sadness
by Josh Johnikutty
The New Hyde Park Seekers club, currently led under advisors Mr. Dolan and Mrs. Psaros, has been in existence for a little over a decade. It seeks to edify others in religious studies while striving to give back to the community. The club hosts numerous events that have proven to be successful over past years. Among the many events conducted by the club include caroling at a hospital to cheer pateints up, holding toy drives during the holiday season to help the less fortunate, and hosting the annual coffeehouse which is a enjoyable way to get together. The club is a conducive environment for fellowship where one can watch the many performances, including music from a live band, skits and drama.
However, due to the recent tragedies of former New Hyde Park Memorial students, Sam Arikupurathu and Harsha Maddula, the seekers club sought to dedicate a memorial to commemorate the journeys, dedication, and successes of both these incredible young men, Harsha Maddula and Sam Arikupurathu. With support from the principal and countless hours of planning among the club officers, more than a hundred students and faculty gathered around the school courtyard to remember the lives of these young men.
After a solo performance by Anjali Reddy, who was also accompanied by Senior Nickolas Duong on the piano, friends and family members of Harsha Maddula and Sam Arkiupurathu, presented eulogies of remembrance. The afternoon was a wonderful experience for many people. After countless reflections, the impact of both Sam and Harsha on New Hyde Park was evident. Near the end of the service, the Seekers officers organized two tri-fold boards that were dedicated to both Harsha and Sam. Each student lined up and posted a personal note on each board. The boards were then presented to the Maddula and Arkiupurathu families to use as a token of appreciation and support.
The mere fact that so many students spent the afternoon to support these families revealed the united student and alumni body of New Hyde Park. They chose to remain together amidst adversity. We, as a whole community of New Hyde Park, sincerely hope that their families can recover as soon as possible from this recent and unexpected tragic loss. Sam Arikupurathu and Harsha Maddula will be truly dearly missed by the students, faculty, along with the entire community of New Hyde Park. The Seekers plan to keep their memory alive through faith and dedication.
However, due to the recent tragedies of former New Hyde Park Memorial students, Sam Arikupurathu and Harsha Maddula, the seekers club sought to dedicate a memorial to commemorate the journeys, dedication, and successes of both these incredible young men, Harsha Maddula and Sam Arikupurathu. With support from the principal and countless hours of planning among the club officers, more than a hundred students and faculty gathered around the school courtyard to remember the lives of these young men.
After a solo performance by Anjali Reddy, who was also accompanied by Senior Nickolas Duong on the piano, friends and family members of Harsha Maddula and Sam Arkiupurathu, presented eulogies of remembrance. The afternoon was a wonderful experience for many people. After countless reflections, the impact of both Sam and Harsha on New Hyde Park was evident. Near the end of the service, the Seekers officers organized two tri-fold boards that were dedicated to both Harsha and Sam. Each student lined up and posted a personal note on each board. The boards were then presented to the Maddula and Arkiupurathu families to use as a token of appreciation and support.
The mere fact that so many students spent the afternoon to support these families revealed the united student and alumni body of New Hyde Park. They chose to remain together amidst adversity. We, as a whole community of New Hyde Park, sincerely hope that their families can recover as soon as possible from this recent and unexpected tragic loss. Sam Arikupurathu and Harsha Maddula will be truly dearly missed by the students, faculty, along with the entire community of New Hyde Park. The Seekers plan to keep their memory alive through faith and dedication.