Dear Anderson/Schulten family- I have few words to describe the love I am feeling for your family. Some of my all time favorite memories are the Christmas holidays that we spent together, especially the one in 2018 that ended in hours of dancing around living room. Sam always made Christmas feel that much more special and I’ll always hold those times and conversations spent with Sam dear to me. Sam also brightened my day every time I saw him in the hallway or walking into Carla Madison. He never failed to give me a smile or help me procrastinate a workout with an engaging conversation. I was very admirable of your son and am thinking of him and all of you always.

Dear Anderson Family - I am so sorry for your loss. I actually only met Sam once - years ago when he was in elementary and I was helping transport to an after school activity. Yet those 15 minutes that he was in my car made a lasting impression that even to the recent past I would share with my own children and others. That day I was blown away by how kind, engaging, and earnest he was. I think what most impressed me was that in the bit of time he was in my car, he made my son who was a year younger and self-conscious feel so comfortable and valued. And Sam did this seemingly so naturally. Reading what others have said, I see that this was exactly how all around him felt, and though it was a short bit of time, I feel blessed to have crossed paths with him. My prayers are with you in this time of loss.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Sam lately and how much he is missed. I taught him during his Senior year at East and he was part of the most amazing and loving Spanish class I’ve ever had the privilege of teaching. I knew about half the class from previous years, but Sam was new to me that year. It only took one second upon meeting Sam to know that “yup, this kid is going to make this class even better”. Every day he walked into class with a warm greeting and usually supplied the class with several jokes in Spanish. I always admired his sincerity and love for everyone around him. His genuine love of learning and curiosity was truly inspiring. My love goes out to his family and friends, he is very much missed.

I’ve been trying to think of what to say about Sam that would live up to how exceptional he was, and what came to my mind the most was not what I would say about him, but what I wish I had the chance to say to him. So, this is for Sam.

Sam,

There is truly no way to wholly describe how special you are. How inspiring, selfless, caring, helpful, bright, humble, welcoming, generous, and authentic you are… just to name a few. I can still remember you so vividly and how you went out of your way to say hi when we passed each other in the hallways even though we lost touch years ago. I can still see your smile and hear you laugh and your happy “Hey Rachael! How are you? It’s been too long!” I remember how you never thought twice to give your time at lunch to help me learn piano arrangements for the orchestra at Morey and how you never got frustrated when I couldn’t get it. I remember how you never judged anyone when they asked for help or when they were struggling with something that was so easy for you. I remember spending hours with you and everyone else in band and orchestra in Mr. Cevallos’ room having the time of our lives talking about anything and everything. I remember actually looking forward to math class because you helped everyone understand the material when even the teacher didn’t know how to explain it. I remember how you made sure everyone felt included. How selflessly you helped people, how you stood up for people when no one else did, and how much you lit up a room when you were there because it was impossible for anyone to be anything other than purely happy when you were with them. I remember watching you live life how everybody should, in the moment, and with unconditional love for everyone you met. You are the kind of person who people tell their kids and grandkids about because you are beyond inspiring and admirable in everything you do. Everyone you interacted with, whether for a moment or your whole life, is a better person because they were given the honor of knowing you. You are the kind of person someone only gets the privilege to find one of, and you are that person for so many of us. And I am so sorry I couldn’t have been the same person for you. Just know that everyone in this world loves you more than any of us can express, and we will never stop letting you continue to inspire us in everything we do.

Until we meet again.

My heart goes out to all of you. Though I never met Sam, reading these stories is all that is needed to understand the amazing soul he was on earth. His impact on those he met was so genuine and lasting. It reminds me of his father, Robert, I was fortunate to meet in 9th grade. My thoughts are with you as you carry his shining memory forward.

There are no words in the English language to begin to describe Sam Anderson. The word nice simply does not do justice to how kind, caring, thoughtful, and charismatic Sam was. The list could go on. Although I was never close friends with Sam, we had a few classes together over the years and many of my friends participated in Con Law with Sam. Sam impacted any and all of those around him, no matter if you were close friends, acquaintances, or just strangers.

Sam was so humble and constantly used his brilliance to help other students understand the content. When I think of Sam, I cannot think of a single flaw. You very rarely meet someone so genuinely curious about others, so wonderfully intelligent, and so hilarious. I’ve never met someone that made me laugh harder than Sam. He could make anyone smile and consistently lit up any room he walked into. Any class I had with Sam was one of my favorite classes because of how enjoyable it was just to be in the same room as him. I remember once in Spanish class Sam and a few other people in our class were playing a photo roulette game during a break. The app would pick a photo from someone’s camera roll and you’d have to guess who took the picture. I was sitting in the row behind them and sort of participating but I wasn’t physically in the game. Sam noticed and started airdropping me random photos from his camera roll so that it could sort of feel like I was playing. Then Eli started doing the same and soon they were all airdropping me random pictures. We all couldn’t stop laughing at how funny the pictures were without context. Sam’s ability to include anyone around him in his joy is one in a million.

Senior year I was nominating a teacher for an award and wanted to get a few quotes from other students about her. The first person I thought to ask was Sam. Of course, he was the first to respond and sent the most well-written description of a teacher I have ever read. But that wasn’t a surprise. Sam poured his heart into everything he did which was very contagious. I showed a friend who was also sending me a quote and she immediately said she needed to rewrite hers because she knew it could improve. Small tidbits like that just show how much Sam positively influenced those around him directly and indirectly.

Sam will always hold a large place in my heart. I am thinking of Sam’s family and friends during this time and sending strength and love. Sam was like the sun, and those of us who had the lucky chance of joining his orbit will always remember his bright light.

I was very fortunate enough to know Sam through East High School, Denver Parks and Recreation, as well as being a part of the close-knit community that is Denver, Colorado. My heart goes out to your family and friends, as I have recently learned how hard losing someone you're close to can be. To the family: Please know you are surrounded by loving and caring people who are here for you in whatever way you need. Sam was such an amazing friend and coworker, and always knew how to brighten up someone’s day. I am so thankful for knowing him and being able to call him a friend. He helped me through so much of my college application process and even helped me with scholarship searches, as I was a grade younger than him. Truly such an amazing, kind, and caring person. He will always be in my heart and someone I strive to be like.

Sam inspired me, and so many others to become better people. I met Sam for the first time junior year, when we were placed together on the same con law panel. Soon after I got to know him, I was shocked by his unrivaled intelligence and unconditional kindness to everyone he met. I had the privilege to read his essays and papers which were remarkably brilliant. But, what touched me the most was his devotion to being the most humble, empathetic, and thoughtful person he could be. I was very insecure about my own writing and public speaking, but Sam always went out of his way to uplift me with genuine praise and humor that gave me confidence when I really needed it. Even though he was so gifted himself, he never judged or looked down on anyone for needing more time or not being on the top level he had reached.

Sam was just so thoughtful. Even after our junior year, we continued to talk and send things that reminded us of each other. NBA jokes, political memes and funny work stories were some of our favorites. He made me smile more times then I can count. When I visited Bruce Springsteen’s hometown a few months ago and thought to tell him, he immediately sent me back a link to the Asbury Park album so I could listen to it on the way back home. He was truly so caring and genuine in everything he did. My heart is with Sam’s family and close friends. I am so, so sorry for your loss. My deepest prayers and thoughts are with you.

It is clear from every one of these memories of Sam what a wonderful person he was. I hope you can feel the love and support from all the people who care about you surrounding you now. I am holding you all in my heart.

Many of my oldest memories include Sam, from playing with him on the playground at Fisher and Congress to backyard picnics at the Masket's. Throughout high school I looked to Sam as an inspiration and a role model from the classes he took to the way he carried himself throughout the world. Sam always exemplified what it meant to truly be a kind and intelligent person, even from afar. He is someone I've always been proud to know and will continue to be for the rest of my life. I'm so grateful for having known him and forever a better person because of it.