John Oldigs was an individual, a loyal friend, a consummate artist, a musician.
By being himself and projecting his unique qualities into the world, he was his own activist, an activist for others who were unique and eccentric and moved by the power of music and art. John took what was in his heart and made it a living, breathing entity by composing a song, by painting, by singing, by acting, by laughing his wonderful laugh, by dressing in vintage clothes. Whether he was on the stage acting and singing, at his piano, or on the debate team, John was projecting who he was and standing for what he believed and what he felt. He encouraged people around him to do the same. He challenged people to look beyond themselves and within themselves to find something deeper and to see how that depth connected all of us.
John was, above all things, the greatest version of John. He believed in himself, he believed in the people around him, and he believed in his art. He created the person he wanted to be and the life he wanted to live. He carved his own unique reality and wove the world around him into it and into his art. So many people who knew John were connected to him through that art, through music. His openness and generosity in all things opened minds and hearts with each step and in everyone and everything he touched.
John Oldigs was my best friend. Through years of classes and musical experiences together we just kept finding each other. It was in high school that we were finally inseparable. Music connected It was a way that made us feel at home together, feel connected, and feel that we belonged to something greater. John and I connected through our music, our beliefs and our passion, and through that connection and through each other we found greater strength in ourselves. John helped me find myself. He made me understand what I wanted and who I was, who I wanted to be. Suddenly, someone fully understood me- my quirks, my humor, my passion for debate and social liberty, my yearning for something bigger, my troubles, my triumphs, my faults. I became a better person and I became Me.
I fully believe that knowing John led me on the path to furthering my life in music, going away to school, opening up more, laughing more, taking things less seriously daily and more in stride when called for. I would not be who I am without him. I miss him every single day that I am alive because more than anything I know that I would not be this free and this alive if it were not for him. And, I know I would be just that much more alive if he were here with me. He visits me in my dreams, he shows up in my conversations, my turn of phrase, my mannerisms. He affects so many things that I do as he touched so many parts of who I am. I know that our connection, our similarities and things we shared can still continue in a way as long as I bring them with me. And I do. Everywhere I go.
--Paige Cutrona
Information about the next John Oldigs True Colors Memorial Scholarship will be posted soon.
By being himself and projecting his unique qualities into the world, he was his own activist, an activist for others who were unique and eccentric and moved by the power of music and art. John took what was in his heart and made it a living, breathing entity by composing a song, by painting, by singing, by acting, by laughing his wonderful laugh, by dressing in vintage clothes. Whether he was on the stage acting and singing, at his piano, or on the debate team, John was projecting who he was and standing for what he believed and what he felt. He encouraged people around him to do the same. He challenged people to look beyond themselves and within themselves to find something deeper and to see how that depth connected all of us.
John was, above all things, the greatest version of John. He believed in himself, he believed in the people around him, and he believed in his art. He created the person he wanted to be and the life he wanted to live. He carved his own unique reality and wove the world around him into it and into his art. So many people who knew John were connected to him through that art, through music. His openness and generosity in all things opened minds and hearts with each step and in everyone and everything he touched.
John Oldigs was my best friend. Through years of classes and musical experiences together we just kept finding each other. It was in high school that we were finally inseparable. Music connected It was a way that made us feel at home together, feel connected, and feel that we belonged to something greater. John and I connected through our music, our beliefs and our passion, and through that connection and through each other we found greater strength in ourselves. John helped me find myself. He made me understand what I wanted and who I was, who I wanted to be. Suddenly, someone fully understood me- my quirks, my humor, my passion for debate and social liberty, my yearning for something bigger, my troubles, my triumphs, my faults. I became a better person and I became Me.
I fully believe that knowing John led me on the path to furthering my life in music, going away to school, opening up more, laughing more, taking things less seriously daily and more in stride when called for. I would not be who I am without him. I miss him every single day that I am alive because more than anything I know that I would not be this free and this alive if it were not for him. And, I know I would be just that much more alive if he were here with me. He visits me in my dreams, he shows up in my conversations, my turn of phrase, my mannerisms. He affects so many things that I do as he touched so many parts of who I am. I know that our connection, our similarities and things we shared can still continue in a way as long as I bring them with me. And I do. Everywhere I go.
--Paige Cutrona
Information about the next John Oldigs True Colors Memorial Scholarship will be posted soon.
