Happy Birthday, Maya

November 3rd would have been  Maya’s 20th Birthday.  Maya loved to perform.  She was a talented singer, dancer and writer. She performed at Little CAST during the summers at Julian Middle School as an elementary student in Oak Park.  As a middle school student she performed in many productions; Sister Sara in Guys and Dolls, Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.  In high school, she was a member of Noteworthy for over two years. Noteworthy is OPRF’s Show Choir.  If you ever had a chance to see Maya perform you would have been awed by her talent, poise, grace, but mostly by her love and enthusiasm.  Maya was also a writer of songs and poetry mainly.  She's archived hundreds of documents on her phone, computer and journals.  Maya’s dream was to be a performer and writer.  In a small way we can support her dream by helping other performers hone their skills by donating to the performing art organization in Maya’s memory. Maya was always a big supporter of her fellow performer. She would be proud to know money was being raised to help performers with their craft.  Funds raised will equally be divided among three organizations:  Noteworthy at Oak Park River Forest High School, Maya Gary Scholarship through Applause at OPRFHS and CAST at Julian School in Oak Park. Happy birthday, Maya. You’re always with us.