Elias Kim’s passing has left peers, teachers, family, and Lane community in mourning. The gifted junior, suddenly passed on Nov. 27, Thanksgiving night, at age sixteen.
Elias was commonly known as one who made others feel seen and cared for. His friends remember how he always noticed the small things, and was always willing to be there for a friend. Elias gave compliments constantly and genuinely, never out of habit. It was natural for him to make others feel seen and heard; something that constantly drew others to him.
Dylan Rose, junior at Lane, said that Elias was not just his best friend but closer to a brother. Dylan and Elias have been inseparable since LTAC. “We did everything together,” Dylan said. Dylan describes Elias as confident, empathetic, funny and outgoing. “We’re super similar… he taught me how to be confident and just trust myself, my relationships and the things that I want to do. He inspired me a lot,” Dylan explains. Dylan holds those values Elias had taught him with him every day.
Myah Shakom, senior at Lane, Elias’s former girlfriend, explained that even after they had broken up, their bond never faded. Confident, stubborn, hilarious, intelligent, determined, Myah Shakom describes Elias with a smile. Over the last summer, the two spent almost every day together, skating, taking photos, and talking for hours. Myah and Dylan continue to honor Elias by looking at old photos, wearing his clothes, and staying close with Elias’s family. “It really helps,” Myah Shakom said.
Sarah Zavala, another one of Elias’s friends since LTAC, is remembering him as someone who made people feel safe and welcome. One of her favorite memories of Elias was a conversation they had about love. “He talked about how powerful love was…like it’s a thing that you can’t control or get rid of, you know? I think that that conversation really sums up who he was as a person.” Sarah didn’t hesitate when asked how she wanted Elias to be remembered: “As someone full of life. Welcoming. A Pillar. Colorful is really the best word for Elias.”
Elias’s personality was heavily reflective of his creativity, especially in photography. Ms. Diamond, his Photography II teacher, describes him as “dynamic, magnetic, and innovative.” Returning to her classroom after his passing has been extremely difficult for Diamond. “This is the single hardest thing I’ve had to experience as a teacher,” she said. “I still expect him to walk through the door every day.” Ms. Diamond explained that Elias was no average student or person; Elias had a unique way of seeing the world and bringing people together. “But just being able to see through a lens, how he viewed things… Like, it felt personal. And he was an observer, and he was able to get across an idea in a way that wasn’t typical… he had an eye.”
Through his photography, Elias didn’t just take pictures, he showed the world how he saw it. His photos captured details others may miss, and many now see his work as pieces of his perspective preserved forever.
Beyond his art, Elias has a special ability to bring people together. He was always able to change the mood of the room, make people laugh, and ease tension. In his short sixteen years, he left behind a legacy of kindness, confidence and creativity. He saw the beauty in others, when they didn’t see it themselves. He pushed others to believe in themselves and see the potential that he saw. His friends say that changed them, permanently.
Even now, Elias’s spirit lives on through his friends and family. They continue to share memories, keep his soul alive, and support one another. While his life was tragically cut short, the impact he made continues to ripple throughout the communities blessed to know him.
Elias Kim will be remembered not by the length of his life, but by how fully he lived and how deeply he touched the lives of his loved ones. His kindness, creativity, and irreplaceable self, will continue to live on through the people who knew him.
To support Elias Kim’s Family and to view his photography, please visit: https://freshlenschicago.org/eliaskim
