Andrew James Schiltz

Andy, is what we call him for short.He is pretty short for twelve. Hes about half my height. I really admire him. He's been my best friend for about 4 years. Ever since third grade. I remember we were eating lunch in the cafetieria when he Dumped orange juice all over my food. Firts we were mad at each other, but then, I realised it was stupid, and we became best friends.

I really admire him for lots of reasons. Not because hes popular or friendly, but because he's strong willed and detirmined. Just recently his sister and her fiancee were killed in a car accident. They were Jennifer and Jeff. They were two of the nicest people i've ever met. I really miss them probably as much as Andy.

When it happened, Mrs. Prier, our counceler and Mr. Rousch called me down to the office. I noticed that Andy was gone. He came to school, but he left around lunch. I gingerly walked into the office. I've never been in there before so I was pretty nervous. "Did I do something?" I asked "No no no Kevin" replied Mrs. Prier,"I have some bad news for you." I thought my grandpa had died. He had recently been diagnosed with Lung Cancer. "What?" I asked "Well, Andy's sister Jennifer... was killed in car accident.? Right when she said those words, My heart stopped. I was shocked at first, but the shock whent away and was replaced by pain.

I started to cry. I didn't care about looking cool or anything. I couldn't help it. It hurt so much. I can't explain it. I've never had someone so close to me die. I never knew my grandma, so we wern't as close. Mrs. Prier continued,"Her fiancee and aunt were in the car too. I was horrified. I thought the worst was coming. "Jeff and Terri?" I asked, stumbling on my words. "Yes," She replied. "Their OK right?" I asked "Jeff is also dead," she started,"Terri is in intensive care right now." Bu now the tears were streaming down my face. It was such a shock, I didn't know what to do. My mom walked into the office room. "Are you OK honey?" she stuttered I was ready to blurt"What do you think?" but it was rude so I just nodded. "Andy wanted you to come to the hospital," she started, "you must be some friend if he wanted you to come" I went to the hospital but not before I stopped at church to pray for Terri. I Prayed to god to ask him to help Terri pull through this.

Terri is out of the coma and in a rehabilitation centre to help her. I wrote this story about Andy because he is the strongest person I know. He endured all of the pain of loss and came through when the odds were against him. In conclusion, Andrew James Schiltz is my hero and I wish that I could be more like him.