November 17, 2008
Happy Birthday Amelia Bates
Erik Morrison is a Chapter Organizer of Amelia’s Army, The George Washington High School chapter of the Harry Potter Alliance.
Today we celebrate the 16th birthday and the memory of a true member of Dumbledore’s Army if there ever was one. Amelia Bates left us on the 22nd of October after being hit by a car near the school on the 20th. She was a leader of the George Washington High School chapter of the HPA, and an inspiration to all she met.
Amelia’s infectious smile, quick wit, and easy laugh made for a bright spirit that brought the sunshine inside the halls of the school. She possessed all the characteristics of a perfect Hogwarts student, regardless of house. The Sorting Hat would have been stumped, had it been placed on her head, although the Sorting Quiz administered to her last year put her in Slytherin. She was a great Slytherin – full of wily wit and ambition – but she could have been in any house. She was extremely brave, as the best of Gryffindors. Her wisdom was beyond her years, and she was tremendously smart, making her a great Ravenclaw. And finally, she was an unswerving, diligent, and loyal worker for any cause she put her mind to – she could have belonged in Hufflepuff just as well.
Most importantly, however, Amelia was full of love. Love for her family, her friends, even people she had never met had her love. To her close friends and family, and even to everyone reading this post, this can be a comfort. As Dumbledore so sagely said, even though she is gone, we will always have some protection from the evils of the world knowing that we were loved so deeply by this wonderful, bright soul. So the next time you wear yellow, think of that bright golden sunshine that is Amelia touching you.
Both Amelia and Dumbledore had a sparkle and a wisdom that cannot be easily forgotten, besides their tendency for cracking wry jokes when least expected.
They should be getting along famously.
Happy birthday, AB.
Erik’s chapter, Amelia’s Army, has requested that donations be made to STANDfast in memory of Amelia.
Donations can also be made to the Amelia Bates Memorial Fund:
Amelia Bates Memorial Fund
1st Bank of Cherry Creek
P.O. Box 461050
Denver, CO 80246-9924
If you want to write Amelia’s family, Erik has offered to forward cards:
Erik Morrison
984 S. Ivy St.
Denver, CO 80224
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