Words could never do Max justice. For those that knew him, conveying Max's influence upon others requires more than a description: it was a feeling in one's heart. Put simply, he brought people together—even, when needed, people that ordinarily wouldn't have wanted to be together. Throughout his time at Wardlaw-Hartridge, Max's life was about growing relationships, not just maintaining them. Yes, he was a good student. Yes, he was an exceptional athlete. But more than anything else, Max was a leader.

Max was the type of person who saw the good in each individual, even when others couldn't. The glass was always half full for Max. Hitting the field or court after halftime, when looking up at the scoreboard and seeing the team was down big, Max was always the person to rally others, to get them motivated, to make them believe not just in themselves, but in the team working together as a singular unit.

That's the thing: for Max, it was always about bringing people together—in any environment. Although he physically departed this world earlier than he ever should have, Max has left a piece of himself in everyone he interacted with. To meet Max was more than a passing moment; before you knew it—and for years down the road—he'd be reminding you to believe in yourself, to keep in touch with the ones you've loved, and to work as a team.