“Hey Ernest, you’re African, have you ever seen a cheetah?” asked a mocking football player.

“Yes” was the reply. The whole football team stood shocked in disbelief, waiting for the explanation. Then it came.

“In a zoo, like all of you,”

We all erupted in laughter, but no one was surprised. That was the thing about Ernest Ekwugha; he would always make people laugh. Whether he told a funny story or a joke, or whether it was his smile alone, when around Ernest, it was guaranteed that he would lighten up the day.

This summer Ernest passed away and left the world a little darker. I understand as well as any the pain caused when bringing up the loss. Nevertheless, I find the most comfort and even happiness when I do think of him, because that is what Ernest gave to everyone: happiness. Although agonizing, that is why at every opportunity I tell a story about the light he brought into my life. I, not only refuse to be, but am also incapable of being consumed by my hurt, because with every thought of Ernest, I can’t help but smile.

Ernest was the first to coin the term “firenerd,” and as with anything Ernest touched, it has stayed with the team even in his absence.

A “firenerd” is Pearl Cohn Firebird football player, who does his homework before a game. On Friday nights in the down time before the game only a few were dedicated enough to schoolwork to do the homework due on Monday. Ernest was the leader of the pack, and whether or not he knew it, he was an idol and a role model for the entire team.

Although Ernest made a good time out of anything, he was serious when it came to his schoolwork. Whenever people cracked jokes about the “firenerds,” Ernest was not deterred because of the vision he carried with him.

Ernest dream was to become a doctor; nothing could deter him from getting his education. His sophomore year he took AP Biology, a daunting class for anyone. However, his determination would allow no other option. Ernest’s ability to set goals and pursue them, lead him to succeed in the classroom, on the football field, and most importantly in his relationships for which he will best be remembered.

Some of the football players, including myself, had a tradition every Friday before the game. Whenever Ernest left his locker we would hide some of his equipment. At first the joke was to see how long we could go without him noticing. However, as we got further into the season, the prank progressed and the joke was not so much in the hiding but more in seeing Ernest’s reactions.

Never really mad, he always came into the locker room, noticed his stuff was gone, and started looking for a “fight.”

He’d say, “I’m leaving, and when I come back my stuff better be back or I’m firing on someone.”

Sure enough we’d return the stuff, not actually fearing the threat, but still pleased our prank had succeeded in getting a rise out of him. The most memorable Friday was the day we forgot to take his stuff. Andrew Lowe was the first to see him coming, and instantly devised a scheme. He leaned over to me and whispered in a tone so quiet it sounded to Ernest like a whisper but still loud enough to insure Ernest heard him.

“Shh, shh, here he comes don’t tell him.” Andrew said.

Ernest immediately rushed to his locker to see what was missing. Of course we hadn’t taken or done anything so his search was pointless. His reaction on the other hand was priceless. He nearly went crazy trying to find out what prank we’d pulled. He tried in vain to uncover our plot, but there was nothing to find out. Every other player came up to Andrew and me asking what we’d done.

I told them we hadn’t done anything but to just play along. Eventually we got the whole team in on the joke, with everyone telling Ernest how good we’d gotten him.

When we came clean and told him that we hadn’t done anything, he didn’t believe us. So, he spent almost all his time combing the locker room trying to find something of his that had been taken. Finally before the game we filled him in on the entire plot, and then came the response that was well worth the wait.

When Ernest realized that he had been had. He, himself, began to laugh. That is what everyone had wanted. We’d seen Ernest go through all stages of emotion. Finally ending on the highest of highs, with a big smile across his face.

That was Ernest; he took everything in stride. I’m certain Ernest had his share of hardships and heartaches, but it was his ability to never let them get him down, which I admired and will miss, the most.