Ishan Prasai, 1999-2017: An Appreciation

It was with a sense of disbelief and then heavy hearts that we heard the news that Ishan Prasai, a member of the Class of 2017, had passed away in his native Nepal after a short illness.  Ishan was a quiet but vibrant member of the St. Conleth’s community for three years, and we have nothing but the fondest memories of his time with us.  Friendly, good-humoured and talented, Ishan was one of those rare people who could light up a room without raising his voice, but when he did, everyone listened.  Ishan was a good friend to those in his inner circle but he was also a good friend to those in the wider circle of St. Conleth’s.  Schools, like any other group of people, tend to split into cliques of people who share similar interests.  Ishan moved between these groups with consummate ease and impeccable manners.  Just one demonstration of the extent and depth of Ishan’s influence is that when the news filtered through of his passing, several of the  younger Conlethians were visibly upset when they connected the name with the Transition Year boy who had so gently and kindly tutored them during their Junior School days.

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This active kindness was also on display when Ishan, inspired by the suffering in Nepal after a devastating earthquake, organised and managed the single most successful charitable fundraiser in the history of St. Conleth’s.  He spurred his fellow Transition Years to raise over €4,000, showing that, yes, there is something that can be done in the face of tragedy and that you do not need to be loud to be a leader.   Of course, it is also with music which we associate Ishan.  From his stunning solo performance at Transition Year Night through his starring role during the Graduation Ceremony, Ishan was at the musical heart of St. Conleth’s.  He was a member of the school choir which performed at nearly all our events and went out into the community, especially to sing  yuletide carols at the local nursing home.  For someone from a non-Christian background, Ishan was particularly good at spreading Christmas cheer!  One of Ishan’s standout performances at our school concerts was his solo rendition of Hozier’s ‘Take me to Church’, during which he radiated passion and humility.  Ishan’s vocal and musical performances matched the way he lived among us: with sincerity and grace.

“Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind.”

by Charles Latvis