1st Annual Karlie Aubry Memorial Pickleball Tournament & Fundraiser

Rarely a day goes by I don’t think of our beloved friend and classmate, Karlie Lynn Aubry (‘09). For those not familiar with her deep love, hysterical sense of humor and remarkable talent, I’ll attempt the impossible of describing her in one word: Brilliant. 

“Brilliant” in the most traditional sense of the word. As in, to know Karlie, was to know Light. As the idiom goes, yes, she lit up every room she entered. But it felt more magical, more powerful than that. She didn’t just light up the room, she made every one feel warm, confident and loved as themselves. And she cared. A lot. About her wonderful father, George; her amazing aunt Margaret, cousin Esther (`03), the rest of her extended family. And her friends. 

Karlie was the first to give you a friendly razz, followed by what seemed like the single best hug known to humanity. The person who you instantly felt like you’ve known forever, no matter if it was your first time meeting, or you hadn’t spoken in weeks, months or even years. And she knew how to show up. She was often the first to congratulate you on a big job promotion, or whatever else got you excited; and the first to pick you back up after a tough day. After my mother suddenly passed in 2015, it was Karlie waiting on my doorsteps when I returned home, not with any words of encouragement, staggering advice or trendy remedies. But just to be there, as a friend. What an amazing person to have in your life.

This year marks 10 years from her passing. I miss her profoundly. We all do. Her not being here will never be normal. But it was also Karlie who told me after my mother passed that even though she wasn’t with me physically anymore, I could still live my life with her, every day. 

And I think that’s where most of us are now with Karlie being gone. 

Her light lives in and with us, every day. I hear her kindly (and candidly) putting me back in my place in a moment of pride, and I feel her lifting me up during a moment of weakness or seemingly important crisis. Much of the time, I simply feel grateful to even have known Karlie in the first place. And then that feeling of gratitude is quickly extended to the place that blessed us all to meet someone like Karlie in the first place, Wayland Academy.

So, if you’re a graduate of Wayland Academy, while you may not have known Karlie personally, you absolutely know what it’s like to have that Wayland friend. 

This event, then, is a celebration of that exact sentiment! A manifestation of people coming together to celebrate the spirit of their beloved friend in a fun and intentional way (two more words that could also describe Karlie). It’s a celebration of the magical, connective thread that is the Wayland Academy community. 

And in a time when the world seemingly loses sight of the power of Community each day, what better way to acknowledge and celebrate having the gift of Community than to participate in it? 

That is also why 100% of proceeds from our Inaugural Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser will go toward the Karlie Aubry Memorial Scholarship Fund, an active, yearly scholarship awarded to current Wayland Academy students. 

Yes, we hope you’ll consider donating to the Fund online, swinging a paddle in the Tournament, or simply stopping by South Campus on Saturday, July 26 (Karlie’s Birthday!) to enjoy a summer day. 

But most importantly, we hope our inaugural event, and the spirit behind it, reminds you of the power of Community. 

We hope it compels you to call a classmate, visit campus and in some way—any way—participate in the community we’re all so immensely fortunate to belong to: Wayland Academy.

Adam M. Benavides
Wayland Class of 2008
Madison, WI