By Terra Avilla
I remember the first time I ever saw Clay’s big, goofy, ear to ear grin. It was is in the safety office at Lassen High School his freshman year. He sat in the office looking at me trying to figure out if I was really “that mad” at him. Ah yes. The day I met Clay Cagle. I will never forget it. Since that day, Clay quickly became one of my very favorite students at the high school.
Clay was loud and rambunctious. But he was also very kind and funny. When Clay was in a room, you knew it. He was a natural leader and many of his peers from all sorts of groups adored him.
Then came another day involving Clay that I will never forget. I received a call from Assistant Principal Joshua Blackburn. His voice was cracked and he told me that our Clay had been in a car accident. That Clay was gone.
I will remember that feeling in my stomach for the rest of my life.
Now, no amount of writing or words will accurately express the grief that this community and the Cagle family faced when Clay passed. However, what can be expressed is the amount of love our community still shows for him. This sort of love is very special to Lassen County.
While Clay may physically not be present any longer his legacy sure lives on.
I can attest to this, as every time I see his father, I see an older version of Clay looking back at me.
Now in true Lassen County fashion, making beauty from the ashes, Clay is still being honored through the Clay Cagle Scholarship fund, as well as the constant donation to the Clay Breakers at Lassen High School, in Clay’s name.
According to the scholarship description, “The Clay Cagle Memorial Scholarship Fund has been created to provide a helping hand in furthering the educational goals of students graduating high school in Lassen County. Clay loved the outdoors. Hunting and shooting trap for the Lassen High School Clay Breakers. Clay was known for his big smile, his huge heart and always being available for a friend in need.”
Even now, Clay is still finding a way to brighten people’s days. So go do something goofy and funny today. Be nice and daring. Be like my friend Clay, who will always be one of the reasons I love the place we live.
