On April 23, 2013 tragedy fell upon the town of Monument when we lost an amazing friend, brother, teammate, and son; Taegon Kwiatkowski. He took his life early Tuesday morning outside of his home.
Taegon was one of the most amazing people I ever had the chance to be friends with, he was one of my closest friends and hearing the news was just unbelievable. Taegon always knew how to brighten anyone’s day when he felt like they were unhappy, even when he was devastated about his own day. He was always smiling and laughing no matter what he was doing and he had the best time doing it.
“Taegon was very unique; he always did his own thing. He was so easy going and so easy to talk to. When I would try to describe something that makes no sense he would always understand it and could relate to it. Him being gone is the worst thing that could have happened but it brought our “family” together when we were starting to fall apart,” Palmer Ridge junior Ka’uilani Sterling said.
Walking down the halls most people probably knew him as the kid with the sick hair and hip style. Taegon was noticeable with his fashion in Lewis–Palmer, a person could spot his cool 5–panel hats, crazy patterned jackets and cuffed jeans from anywhere in the school. But Taegon was more than just a fashion inspiration; he was an inspiration as a friend. Taegon was the one person you could always count on and knowing that he won’t be here to do that anymore is heartbreaking.
“Losing Taegon was the hardest thing that I have ever been through. He was like my brother we’ve been through everything together, but all I can do is try and remember the good times with him. I can never forget his smile or all the funny things he said and all the times he had my back when he knew I needed him. I love him and he will be missed,” junior Peyton Wilkinson said.
Hearing that somebody so close to you has passed away is never an easy thing to deal with, but the students of Lewis–Palmer have made it a little easier. Everyone that was affected by his passing all came together to be closer than ever; at the viewing, mass, funeral, and burial. I had never felt so much love and care from Monument than I did when this astonishing boy passed away.
“Taegon was a great guy that always made everyone around him laugh and he had a contagious smile. Though I have countless great memories with him, April 20th was one of the best. It was one of the best days of my life and I got to spend it with him, and that was the happiest I have ever seen him. There will never be anyone like him, and I’ll love him forever,” junior Brendan Schwartz said.
Taegon made such a huge impact on the town, I have heard multiple people say that they have changed their mind about suicide because of how much Taegon’s death really hurt his friends, family, and peers. As upsetting as it is to think that I will never see one of my best friends, I am comforted in knowing that he is happier than he has ever been.
Something to always remember is: when a friend or anyone you know says they want to take their lives, take it seriously. This is the one thing I wish my friends and I had done because it can always be prevented.
If you or anyone you know is thinking about committing suicide or has attempted suicide, please talk to a trusted adult or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
R.I.P Taegon P. Kwiatkowski, November 23, 1995 – April 23, 2013.