Remembering our beloved Haley by Michael Lovette-Colyer

Haley...

2021-03-25 20:04:01 UTC

You were such a powerful role model as an older member of theta. I always looked up to you and was constantly inspired by your involvement in countless ways at USD. You are a truly beautiful, pure, passionate soul. Your memory will live on in all of the people who loved you. Sending so much love and prayers to your family.

2021-03-25 20:04:37 UTC

Haley was the first one to talk to me at USD. Outside of San Luis, as we waited to get checked in so we could move into our new rooms and begin this new chapter of our lives, I felt a tap on my shoulder. The girl behind me told me, "'I like your outfit! Hi, I'm Haley. What's your name?" After that, we would spend some nights sitting in the same room, listening to music, and talking about boys (or lack thereof). She would pop her head into my room just to say hi before leaving for class, even though I lived on the other side of the floor. She took me and other random girls she met and dragged us along to what would be my first college party, and even if I was shy, she was the life of the party. She brought me out of my shell and made sure I got home safe. I always wondered why she cared about me– just a random girl living on her floor who was struggling with homesickness and uncertainty. Through the last few years, I've found my answer, and it's just that, that was the type of person Haley was. She was overflowing with love for others, for life, for the world. I don't think I would've gotten through my first semester at college if it weren't for Haley. I would have surely transferred out of USD and missed out on so many memories, people, and experiences. For that, I will always be grateful for Haley. After our first year, I watched Haley blossom from afar, but when I did see her, I could always expect a hug, a smile, and a laugh. Her happiness is infectious. I know that if Haley were here, she'd hug everyone and offer some light in a dark time, and I think we owe it to Haley to continue living life courageously and unapologetically and to change the world for the better and keeping moving forward, just like she did. To her family and close friends, thank you for sharing her with us. If she was a star to us, I'm sure she was the sun to you, and I can't fathom how you are handling this loss. Please know that as her peers, we will continue her legacy of positivity and change, and we love and miss her so much.

Crystal Nguyen

2021-03-25 20:04:56 UTC

haley, I'll never forget your bright smile when you walked into KD's event on philanthropy day in January 2019. I had heard such amazing things about you from the day before, and everyone was saying "you HAVE to match with haley, kayla, you'll love her!!!" you didn't know this but you were the first asian woman i got to speak to that week. it's hard walking into FSL events and not seeing someone who looks like you. but the instant we sat down and talked 1:1 about dance and japan, i felt at home. that's a moment i constantly think about -- where my origin for wanting to make panhellenic more diverse comes from. literally from meeting you! i had no idea i'd get the pleasure to have you as one of my diversity chairs a few years later. theta's first ever!! thank you for fighting racial injustice alongside me; you always made me feel like a badass. you were one of the people i never doubted would absolutely change the world. i'll be missing you forever haley, and like my last text to you says, i'm always, always so proud of you <3

love, kayla cayanan

2021-03-25 20:05:07 UTC

Haley was one of my very first friends at USD, and somehow always the one I ended up brushing my teeth next to in our communal bathrooms in San Luis. I remember talking to her day after day about all of the things we both planned to do at USD, and it brings me so much joy to see that she did all that she planned and had such a huge impact on each community she became a part of. She is a beautiful soul, inside and out, and will be so dearly missed. Rest easy.

Love you Haley

2021-03-25 20:05:59 UTC

I have known Haley for 3 years now and to say she had an impact at USD or on the lives of her classmates is an understatement. She brought so much light and love wherever she went and I will always be grateful for that. I knew her as a project leader in SIBC who was not afraid to take charge and guide teammates. I also saw her as a supportive brother in the Delta Sigma Pi fraternity, whether she was comforting a friend or taking charge of our philanthropy. My deepest condolences to you, your family, and friends during this devastating time. Haley you have always been a star and I look forward to seeing your legacy shine on.

Love, Caroline

Haley

2021-03-25 20:10:05 UTC

there is no one like you and there will always be one Haley Takeda. I can't even begin to describe the impact you had on people who merely KNEW who you were. Just by being YOU, with your beautiful, radiant smile, your quiet confidence, and the positive energy you gave others, that was enough for people to already love you and be inspired by you. I am forever grateful to have experienced your kindness and your smile. Your love and zeal for life will live on through hundreds and hundreds of people. I know He is taking care of you up there and you will always always be with us.

Haley

2021-03-25 20:12:04 UTC

Although I only had the opportunity to know you for a short time, you inspired me so much. Your strength, grace, fearlessness, and passion made you an amazing person who made me smile often. I am so grateful to have had you in my life as a role model. Sending love to your family.

Haley

2021-03-25 20:20:59 UTC

The first time I spoke to you I could immediately tell you were a one of a kind. Your selfless nature, beautiful soul, and natural ability to inspire those around you will always be something I admire about you. Never would I have thought that as current Panhellenic vpsj, I'd be most grateful for how it led me to you. Your passion was contagious and all I wanted to do was make you proud, and I still do, and plan to. You are someone who comes around once in a lifetime and even though you had plans to impact the world, I hope you know how much you impacted all of us. It is something we will never forget and continue to carry with us as we keep your memory and vision alive.
love, Jadyn Bell

Haley,

alexiavance — 2021-03-25 20:21:01 UTC

You were such a light in my life and the lives of so many. Your passion for the issues you cared about was so inspiring. Your kindness toward me is something I will always remember you by and carry with me always. Thank you for sharing your beautiful talents, love, and gifts with the world. I am so lucky to have known you and called you my sister. We miss you so incredibly much. Heaven has gained an amazing angel. Rest easy, sweet girl.

Love,
Alexia

2021-03-25 20:21:22 UTC

On Thursday, Haley showed up in an unreal outfit - space buns in hair, axe earnings on. To make it better she had just organized a wonderful social justice event. It was in that moment I wondered why I was so blessed to know someone like her. All the love to family and friends <3

2021-03-25 20:26:24 UTC

I vividly remember walking up to big little reveal our freshman year and being super nervous to find out who my big was going to be and who else was going to be in my family. My big had told me to wear all black so as I walked up to the group of girls I remember searching the crowd for someone else in black. I immediately saw Haley also dressed in all black. She came over to me with a smile filled with excitement, and she immediately calmed my nerves which soon turned to joy. She made me feel so comfortable and like I could be myself. Fast forward three years later, I feel so beyond grateful for that day of joy and fun with Haley. She was so selfless. Me and Haley used to text during our Business Analytics class about how we were both confused about the coding - although it was mostly Haley helping me vs. the other way around. Haley was beyond intelligent yet had a way of never making me feel like my questions or confusions were invalid. I remember we had to partner up for a group project, me and Haley texted each other at the same time, and I was so excited. The teacher set time at the end of the class for those who didn't have a partner. I saw Haley staying and I was confused. She immediately texted me how she felt bad leaving because there was a kid who didn't have a partner and she wanted to make him know that she would have paired up with him if she didn't already have a partner. Her care for others was inspiring to me and I will try my best to always live in her grace. Sending my love,
Christine Partington

Haley

2021-04-03 20:20:53 UTC

I will forever miss seeing your beautiful face in class, during Theta chapter meetings, and in SIBC. You were beautiful inside and out. Your confidence, kindness, and light radiated from within and touched so many people. I have many fond memories of you that I will always treasure. Last semester, we would always text each other about our IB or Spanish classes and either laugh about our mutual confusion or express any concerns we had. Either way, we were always there for each other. Your support and kindness meant the world to me. I know Coatlicue will protect you and ease your passing (a Spanish inside joke). ; ) <3 All my love, Nicole Kay