Spencer’s Story | from Spencer's Dad

From Mary Pagnani - Spencer's middle school forensics and drama teacher...and friend.

Spencer wasn't here for a long time.
Spencer was here for a good time.

In everything he did, he had a good time. And because of Spencer we all had a good time, too.
Today is a celebration of the good times and there are many. Everyone here today contributed to some of those good times.
Spencer had a good time playing pranks on friends, family and teachers. A peer of Spencer's in middle school said everything he remembers about middle school that was funny was because of Spencer. Spencer had a wit and sense of humor not usually found in young men his age. He was always right on with his side comments, and usually inappropriately funny. As far as pranks on teachers---we never found out what he did with my classroom phones. The principal stopped replacing them after the third mysterious disappearance.

Spencer began acting in sixth grade. By seventh grade he was handling Shakespearean text as if he were a professional actor. In eighth grade he performed the role of Ponyboy Curtis- the lead in The Outsiders --giving a performance that no one who saw it can forget. Spencer found his singing voice late into the auditions of Guys and Dolls.

By working on his one-liners (usually in the middle of class), Spencer perfected his comic timing. In eighth grade he begged me to put together an improvisation show. I was too tired after The Outsiders and from looking for my phones so I put the challenge back on him to do it himself. He did. He directed the improvisation show, chose the improv sets they would perform, designed audience participation segments and made a sound effects CD to accompany the production. The school performance was such a success we added an evening show.
Spencer had a good time on stage.

Spencer had a good time performing on the forensics team. He was always an award winner, and participated in various forensics categories. I can't coach a team without adding Spencerisms to my meetings. When I ask the students not to make up sources when extemporaneously speaking, it's because of Spencer. When I ask students not to pick up the coach on stage when accepting a first place in the state, perfect score trophy, it's because of Spencer. When I ask students to give me 150%, it's because of Spencer. When I ask students to feel passion about everything they say and do, I think of Spencer.

Spencer had a good time on the forensics team.
Spencer didn't have a good time at Interlochen. He had a great time. I had a great time knowing what he was up to because of my spy network. Thank goodness for e-mail. I was able to start giving him a hard time when my spies informed me of all his good times. He never knew how I knew what I knew from the distance. On his first break home, Spencer came and spent the day at Bloomfield Hills Middle School teaching drama. The students loved him and still remember his lesson. His education at Interlochen was already apparent.

Spencer had a good time with his family. He loved his parents Cathy and Bill, and loved his little brother Brady with all his heart. He was so proud to hear that Brady was keeping up the Bell standards as far as forensics and improvisation was concerned.
I've never met anyone who didn't like Spencer. It's not surprising to see so many people here from far away to help celebrate a friend who created so many memories.

So many good times. Spencer had a contagious personality- charming, intense and sometimes naughty.
Songs will forever remind of us Spencer. His talent at writing and as a musician was profound. His lyrics remind us about Spencer's quest for a good time.

I will forever be reminded of the Robert Frost poem Spencer performed in 8th grade-

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Spencer is gold.

Our memories of him will always be gold.

And when we think of him, we should remember- that although he wasn't with us for a long time, he was with us for a good time. I'm so happy that I was able to be a small part of his life.

May we always remember the good times.

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience. With exquisite sadness, we must accept that Spencer's human experience has concluded, but find comfort in the existence of his spirit.