Many students and teachers at Hudson High School were shocked and devastated on Monday January 23, after hearing over the announcements that 20-year-old Michaella Libby had passed away on Saturday, January 21.
Libby graduated with the class of 2010 and was involved in many activities. She was a part of the cheerleading, gymnastics, track and field hockey teams.
“She was always helpful to others and put everyone before herself. Her laugh was contagious and she was always happy,” Sarah Caragian said.
Being on the gymnastics team and in many classes with her, Sarah was one of Michaella’s best friends throughout high school.
When it came to gymnastics Michaella enjoyed having a good time and doing what she loved best.
“She was fun at practice always making me laugh, but when it came to competition she was always very serious and determined. She was a consistent all around gymnast,” Sarah said.
Sarah shared a time she had with Michaella on a bus ride home from a gymnastics meet that they had lost pretty badly. The coach didn’t allow them to talk; it was supposed to be a silent bus ride home, but Michaella and Sarah made an exception.
“We hid behind the seats and talked all the way home because I was upset about the meet and Michaella was always there to brighten the mood. Our coach never knew we talked at all.”
Michaella’s great personality not only affected her friends, but it showed in school as well.
“Michaella had a wonderful smile and cared about the well-being of others. She was quiet and more reserved. She liked to observe things and take them in,” Todd Wallingford said. Wallingford was Michaella’s ninth grade civics teacher.
As an honors student her academics were very important to her. She worked to the best of her ability in all her classes.
Wallingford said, “She was very thorough and always paid attention to the quality of her work. Her work was always done perfectly all the time. She was a quick learner and very sharp.”
“Fastidious, pensive and concerned,” Wallingford used those three words to describe Michaella. She always paid attention to everything she did, she was a thinker and she was always concerned about the issues and people around her.
As she progressed through high school Michaella continued to show her teachers that she had the intelligence to do great things, and she continued to share her wonderful smile and kindness with others.
Josh Otlin, her eleventh grade AP American Studies teacher, said, “In my class Michaella was a very bright young woman that had a lot of potential. She was a good kid who worked very hard. I enjoyed having her in class.”
Michaella Libby will forever stay in the hearts of many teachers and students from Hudson High School.
“She always put a smile on everyone’s faces, and if anyone was upset or struggling with something she was always there to talk them through it. Her laugh and smile will never be forgotten,” Sarah Caragian said.
Wallingford • Mar 16, 2012 at 8:17 pm
Thanks for this fitting and well composed remembrance of Michaella.
Erin Libby • Mar 14, 2012 at 2:23 am
Thank you for the article about our daughter Kayla. She was such a bright and wild spirit. It is so nice to know she touched so many lives. One of her favorite things she participated in at HHS was peer mediation and she carried this passion to help others right to college. We plan to award a yearly scholarship in her memory to a HHS Senior.
Dgrassey • Mar 13, 2012 at 12:42 am
I had Michaella as a student and you captured her perfectly! She loved life, family and friends. I attended the service and was very moved and impressed at the number of people that attended. She was a very bright and wonderful young lady. It is truly a tragedy that her life was cut short. This was a wonderful article!