In Memoriam: Edmund Jenkins
Edmund embodied Riverdale spirit.
He was the epitome of Riverdale culture and an example of how we should treat each other.
Edmund never judged anyone. He was a total supporter of the school. He came to every home soccer game with a vuvuzela (large trumpet thing) and cheered all of us on. He was the leader of RCSTV, the greatest club to ever grace Riverdale. He was a wizard in the classroom. I’ve heard stories of Zoom study sessions where Edmund would log on, crack a joke, and then leave. While everyone studied hours into the night, he was getting his “beauty sleep.” Then he’d walk in the next day, hand in the test in 30 minutes, and get the highest score in the class.
He was the funniest person I have ever met.
Edmund’s life philosophy is one to be not only remembered but also lived. He believed in passion over anything else and encouraged people to do what they loved. When I came back to Riverdale after reclassing, Edmund was one of the few who helped me re-integrate. I think he respected what I did as I was choosing to do what I wanted, regardless of what others thought. While many judged, he fully supported me. Edmund once said, “Power is about being the author of your own story.” I think the best way to honor him is to practice what he preached.
He ran RCSTV, maybe the greatest club to ever grace Riverdale—and RCSTV is also Edmund. He would hilariously interview not just his friends or people who were “popular.” He interacted with everyone. I think he saw the value in everyone.
We could all do well to be a little more like Edmund.
At times, Riverdale’s social culture can be toxic and exclusive. We can, at times, build our social bonds on exclusion. Looking down on other people for getting lower grades, for the colleges we aim for, or for the hobbies that we are interested in. We need to stop that.
Not everyone is meant to be best friends, but we need to all recognize the common humanity in one another. We need to stop judging people, and we need to stop looking down on people for being themselves. That is what creates an environment where people can’t speak up.
We never know how much a small act of negativity can harm someone. But we also have no idea how much a small act of kindness can help someone. Let’s see a revolution in the form of decency and kindness. As we move forward, let’s all be more compassionate to one another, just as Edmund taught us.
Edmund, I am grateful that I met you, for the jokes you made, for the laughs we shared, and for the wisdom you imparted. I am grateful to have been your friend.
