Remembering Haley Takeda

Students and faculty honor the memory of Haley Takeda and discuss the profound mark she left on the USD community

Brittany Lang / Feature Editor / The USD Vista

Haley Takeda, a young woman of grace, remarkable intelligence, and kindness, will be remembered by her friends, family, and all those who knew her as a person of unparalleled light. 

Students and faculty in their time of grief have decided to celebrate the remarkable person Takeda was and honor the many accomplishments she achieved in her 21 years of life. 

Takeda, a USD junior, passed away on Saturday, March 20, after she was involved in a fatal car accident along Linda Vista Road on the evening of March 19. The crash occurred after a young high school student collided head-on with Takeda’s car which was also carrying two other passengers. At least 10 people were injured, but Takeda and the driver of the other car, Marc Anthony George III, 17, were the only two fatalities.

Takeda was an active member of Student International Business Council (SIBC), the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and the Delta Sigma Pi fraternity. She was also a dancer on the USD dance team and excelled academically as an international business and Spanish major and business analytics minor. Takeda was serving as the chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer in Kappa Alpha Theta and the social media lead for the dance team.

Eileen Daspro, professor of international business at USD and a faculty advisor to SIBC, shared how Takeda was a pleasure to have in class and always enthusiastically contributed thoughtful insight and astute comments. Daspro and Takeda both shared a love for Latin America and a passion for international travel.

“I was always impressed by how she seized every opportunity available to her,” Daspro said. “Haley was thoughtful, kind, and understood clearly that she could use her international business knowledge to make society a better place. I consider myself very fortunate to have worked with her closely. She touched me and many others at USD deeply.” 

Takeda was scheduled to complete a consulting project in Daspro’s class for a local company that exports mats designed to make beaches accessible to those who are wheelchair bound. Daspro remarked that Takeda was always professional, poised, and prepared despite all the difficult challenges and adjustments that this past year has demanded. 

Within SIBC, Takeda was the project leader of the Procat project and had the opportunity to lead her team in a business meeting with the client in Turkey. Procat is an international company that specializes in customer service solutions and is based in Istanbul. In regard to the project, Takeda and her team were focused on predicting future trends within the call center industry and assessing the impact of COVID-19 on its employees. She was also involved in the marketing project for Casa Don Javier Tequila and the International Political Economic Forum (IPE) project from previous semesters. 

Senior Caroline Murray, president of SIBC and friend of Takeda, expressed that Takeda always knew how to make everyone she was surrounded by feel loved and accepted in both professional and social settings. 

“I was fortunate enough to have known Haley as a driven project leader in the Student International Business Council, a dedicated brother in Delta Sigma Pi Business fraternity, and a caring friend,” Murray said. “Her spirit and dedication to the USD community continues to be felt every single day.” 

Takeda’s newest little in Delta Sigma Pi, sophomore AnneMarie Rodgers, shared how she considered Takeda to be one of the most caring and selfless people she has ever had the pleasure of knowing. Rodgers claimed that Takeda always had a smile on her face and lit up any room she was in. 

“I can say without a doubt that her legacy and influence over the people she interacted with will live on far beyond her time here on earth … in her honor, I will continue to be that bright light she was for so many people,” Rodgers said. 

Takeda has been described by her teammates on the USD dance team as an incredible leader who was devoted to everything she was a part of. Teammate senior Stephanie Weissig shared that she will forever cherish the memories she made with Takeda. Weissig discussed how when she first met Takeda during her audition for the team, she was immediately struck by her incredible talent, beautiful presence, and confidence.

“It was my honor and privilege to get to know Haley both on and off the dance floor, and I vow to carry her effortlessly beautiful spirit with me through my life,” Weissig said. “Our team has looked to her as an incredible model of leadership and devotion for everything that she has accomplished, and we will continue to look to her for guidance from above.”

Junior at USD and fellow dance teammate of Takeda, Ashlyn Plant, also discussed the remarkable woman Takeda was and the everlasting impact that her memory will have on her for the rest of her life. Plant reminisced on the kindness Takeda extended to her when she first joined the dance team and how welcomed she made her feel. Plant recalled how from that moment on, she knew Takeda would remain to be one of her favorite people at USD. 

“Before we drove home for Christmas break, I joked with Haley that eight hours in the car just wouldn’t be enough time,” Plant said. “I stand by that. No time with (Haley) was ever, ever enough.” 

Junior Salma Youssef got to know Takeda through their shared involvement in Kappa Alpha Theta as well as SIBC. Youssef recalled a moment she had with Takeda that left a lasting impact on her and is a memory she reflects on frequently. During a big-little date for their sorority, Youssef found herself inspired by Takeda’s drive and her commitment to always pursuing her passions and staying on top of her countless responsibilities, even when she was facing moments of self-doubt.

“Whenever I feel like I am about to give up, I think about this moment,” Youssef said. “I think about Haley, her passions, her success, and how much she was able to do while keeping calm. Haley was fearless.”

The senseless loss of Takeda has had a profound impact on the USD community and has caused many to reflect on the fragility of life. Many students and faculty remarked that despite the grief they feel, it is a reminder to them of how exceptional of a young woman Takeda was and how honored they feel to have had their lives touched by her extraordinary spirit. 

Takeda represented everything a student of USD could hope to be, and her memory serves as a reminder to the USD community to not waste a second of life — to continuously seek out opportunities for growth and never miss a moment to show love and appreciation to the ones we hold dearest.