A tragic event has struck our Philadelphia community: the passing of a young man similar to the ages amongst most of us high schoolers at Agnes Irwin. Although most of us do not know him personally, it is important to share his story to educate others as this is a deeply saddening loss to our larger community.
On October 30, Blake Barklage, a 17-year-old boy, suffered a sudden cardiac incident and passed away. Blake was a senior at LaSalle College High School in Montgomery County, and participated in many activities such as mock trial, speech and debate, the National Honors Society, tennis, volunteer work, and soccer. He was the manager of the soccer team and watched the LaSalle soccer team win the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship earlier that Saturday. His teammate, Hayden Grosso, remembers “coming off the field and giving Blake the biggest hug,” (CBS).
In addition to many of his school activities, Blake was a beloved member of his community outside of school. He played golf and caddied at the Commonwealth National Golf Club, the club his family belonged to. Blake spent his summers down in Long Beach Island with his friends and family, “always smiling and laughing” (The Intelligencer). He sailed at the Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club and spent time there with his parents, sister, and cousins. Blake loved to live in the moment, his favorite motto was: “Have a short-term memory. Don’t let the last shot affect the next one,” (CBS). He loved going on Wawa runs with his sister, Alexis, who was in shock when she found out her brother had passed. She stated that, to Blake, she would say, “thank you for always being there and showing me the way,” (CBS). Eight of Blake’s friends have stepped up as older brothers to Alexis and taken her under their wing to guide her in the absence of her brother.
Blake lived by the idea “Enter to learn, Leave to serve,” and followed that for his last act. Even his parents did not know Blake was an organ donor, though they received the call that he wrote on his driver’s license that he wanted to be one. Because of this, Blake saved over 70 lives (CBS). Blake was a cherished member of his community who did so much good for the world and it is hard to believe that he is gone.
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