Good morning, everyone. Thank you all for being here today to honor and remember Darien. I know he would have loved seeing all the people he cared about come together as one. For those who don’t know me, my name is Dylan, and I had the privilege of being one of Darien’s closest friends and mentors. Over the past year, I’ve watched him transform from a shy, timid boy into a confident young man.
I first met Darien at the start of his second year in college when he walked into his interview for the data analytics team. He was 18 years old, quiet, shy, and looking to get more involved on campus. Despite his nervousness, Nathan and I could immediately tell how genuine he was—how he had this rare quality that made people feel comfortable. We knew that he could be the glue that held our team together. And so, we accepted him into our team.
Once he joined, we clicked instantly. We started spending time together outside of the club, and soon, he was pledging for our business fraternity. By the end of the year, Darien wasn’t the timid kid we first met—he had become confident, outspoken, and full of life. He even got his first major internship, which he dreamed of getting since I met him.
After he crossed into the fraternity, we spent even more time together, growing closer with each passing moment. From road trips to San Diego to a three-day trip to Sacramento, and even the little things like grabbing boba or running errands for our house parties, every moment with him brought me true happiness.
During our car rides, he would open up about his life and how much he had changed since high school. He used to worry so much about what people thought of him, always trying to please everyone. But after joining the data analytics team and AKPsi, he told me he finally felt free—free to be himself, to speak his mind, and to show his true personality without holding back. I remember feeling incredibly happy for him, knowing that I had the privilege of playing a meaningful role in his journey. It hit home for me—seeing him grow, find his confidence, and embrace his true self. But more than anything, seeing him happy made me happy.
One moment I’ll never forget was our trip to Sacramento. I was feeling down, sitting in the hotel room listening to sad music, when Darien grabbed my laptop, switched the song to Ray Volpe, and started dancing like a goofball just to cheer me up. And it worked! It lifted my spirits and brought a smile to my face. That was who he was—kind, funny, and always looking out for his friends. His loud, infectious laugh could light up any room, and his energy had this way of lifting everyone around him.
Though he’s no longer here with us physically, I still feel his presence. The one thing I ask of all of you today is to never let his memory fade. Hold on to those small moments you had with him. Write them down while they’re still fresh. Remember him for the joy he brought into our lives. Because forgetting him would be the last thing he would ever want. Rest in peace, Darien. I love you.
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