Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Melissa Beth Evans, known to her friends as Spike, died Saturday at 10:15 a.m. from injuries suffered in a car accident on Interstate 70 Friday morning.
Evans graduated from the University of Kansas in May, majoring in History and Latin American Studies. While studying abroad in Costa Rica, Evans received the nickname Spike, which referred to her short haircut that she often jelled into a mohawk. Her host mother even called her Pirucha, which is Spanish for “spike.” After returning to the United States, Evans requested that her friends continue calling her by the nickname.
Greg Hill, Brentwood, Tenn., senior and Evans’ boyfriend, said, “Despite just her hair, I think she thought the nickname sort of reflected her personality. She liked rock ‘n roll and was very free spirited.”
While at the University, Evans was a member of Margaret Amini Scholarship Hall. She also participated in an alternative spring break trip to Nicaragua and was president of KU Latin American Solidarity . Her passion was helping improve conditions for migrant workers and faculty working in Latin American countries.
Briana Saunders, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, junior and Evans’ roommate, said, “I would be wearing a shirt, and she would tell me ‘You know I’ve probably been to the factory where they made that, and the conditions were horrible there. I don’t know why you even have that,’ and just give me trouble for wearing it.”
Since graduating, Evans had been working for the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging, a nonprofit organization in Kansas City, Kan., that provides international aid. Evans, who was fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, helped translate letters between children and their sponsors. Evans’ goal was to attend graduate school and earn her doctorate. Eventually she wanted to be a teacher.
“She wanted to share her passion for Latin America with other children, through movies and images,” Hill said.
Her friends said Evans also loved to cook and always kept a very clean home. She loved going out to parties and enjoyed many different types of music. She had also been a dancer since the age of three.
“Spike was a vivacious, lively person who always wanted to have a good time,” Saunders said. “She was the life of the party.”
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church in Topeka. The procession will then follow to Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial Contributions at the church will go towards the Ecumenical Christian Ministries Center.
“She was fabulous and intelligent, and you always knew when Spike was in the room,” Elise Higgins, Topeka sophomore and friend of Evans, said. “She will be very missed by her friends and family.”
— Edited by Elizabeth Cattell
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Comments
KU graduate dies after I-70 crash
Spike embodied what every KU student should strive for: standing out through actions. When she talked, it was about something she had done or something she was going to do. While I had different political opinions, I respected her ability to make people click on the ideas she supported. A quality that is difficult to find in undergraduate students. Her boyfriend, Greg Hill is one of the most caring, honest people I've ever met. Together, they were constantly smiling and discussing the next move.
Spike will be missed but her family and friends will carry on with her stories so that other students will look up to her for inspiration at KU.
Carlos R. Centeno 2007 MA Graduate
KU graduate dies after I-70 crash
Its always sad to see a KU graduate pass away, especially at such a young age.
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