Walking into D115, you might first notice the awards on the walls, the posters or the computers. But what stands out the most is The Sidekick staff writer Sanghika Pallela always smiling and laughing, something that becomes almost impossible not to notice. 

That same energy showed up the very first time we spoke when she told me that she knew my brother. And when she did, everything just kind of fell into place. It was the start of a friendship that I did not know I needed, but am really glad I found.

If there is one thing Sanghika does best, it is turning ordinary moments into something worth laughing about later. She is just naturally funny, and it is never something she has to try at. I truly have never met someone makes people laugh the way she does. 

But beyond her jokes and her ability to make people laugh, it is her genuine personality I will remember. I have had the privilege to sit beside Sanghika for the past eight months, and in that time, I have seen how she can change the mood in seconds. 

Besides her kind nature, she is also one of the strongest feature writers I know. In class, we are always laughing about how she somehow already has another feature story in the works, but it is just because she is that dedicated to the work she puts in.

It was not until later that I realized how quickly these months were flying by. 

Somewhere between all the jokes and interesting conversations, she became someone in my life who gave me more than I ever expected out of something that started so simply. And for that, I am forever grateful.

So my last message to you, Sanghika:

Thank you for making my time in The Sidekick unforgettable. Thank you for being the biggest supporter of my Ryan Owens video, and more than anything, thank you for being someone who made every day a little better just by being there.

Just know that next year, when a new group of students fills The Sidekick, I will be talking about you to them. I will be the one saying I got to be friends with Sanghika Pallela, one of the best to do it in The Sidekick. And not just because of the stories you wrote, but because of the way you shaped my experience in this program. 

Wherever life takes you, I know you are more than capable of anything you set your mind to. Just please do me a favor, do not stop bringing your eggs and fruit to class. 

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