To everyone that knew her, Lauren was a bright light, a passionate advocate, a fierce competitor, and a kind and genuine friend with a wicked sense of humor. On May 11, 2023, Lauren earned her associate degree from Brookdale Community College as a member of the Early College Academy at Saint John Vianney High School. An hour later, on her way to meet her parents for a celebratory lunch, Lauren was in a tragic car accident that took her life just weeks before she was set to graduate from high school. To keep Lauren’s light shining bright and allow other women to follow in her footsteps, her family is starting a Foundation in her name called Lauren’s Light. In high school, Lauren was on the Distinctive Honor Roll, a School Ambassador, a four-year Varsity soccer player and captain, class president, and class secretary. In her community, Lauren was an active member of Girl Scouts of America, serving on the CEO Advisory Board and as a Council Delegate for the Sandy Hook Region. Lauren also earned her Bronze and Silver Awards and was working toward completing the prestigious Gold Award. In addition, she was on U.S. Representative Frank Pallone Jr’s Youth Advisory Council, working on policy agendas for immigration and homelessness, and was an active volunteer for the Raine Foundation. This fall, Lauren was getting ready to start a new chapter in life: she planned to attend Syracuse University to study political science and public policy at the renowned Maxwell School. Lauren wasn’t foolish enough to think she could change the world, but she certainly wanted to make a difference. Lauren’s story does not end here.