Saying goodbye to Sharon Cao

15-year-old dies in her sleep

Jeb Bing

Grieving students at a candlelight vigil at Foothill High School Tuesday found it hard to say goodbye to their classmate Sharon Cao, a 15-year-old sophomore who died in her sleep at home early Sunday morning.

She was born August 2, 1989 in Shanghai, China and lived in Corvallis, Ore. for three years prior to moving to Pleasanton with her family. She is survived by her parents, Meihua Zhou and Yuming Cao and her sister, Susan Cao.

She was a tenth grade honor student at Foothill High School who enjoyed playing piano, music and travel. Several hundred students and many faculty members attended the vigil, joining Principal Kevin Johnson in testimonials praising the popular honors student.

Foothill Principal Kevin Johnson told those gathered at the candlelight vigil that Sharon Cao was exceptional, remarkable and "truly an outstanding student" who, in her two short years at Foothill, left a legacy. He said she was earning straight A's while also taking eight courses.

More than 20 students and several teachers took the microphone to tell of their admiration for Sharon Cao, remembering her as a friend, academic helpmate and super-achiever who planned to go to Stanford University.

"I try to teach my students to take pride in the work they produce, but this was one lesson Sharon didn't need to be taught; she already lived her life in this way," journalism teacher Meleah Jones said. "She cared about success even when it wasn't her own. She would often stop her own pursuits in order to help others progress. She didn't roll her eyes, scoff, or act annoyed when asked to put her own work on pause in order to help a classmate, or myself, finish a task for the paper. In fact, she would often help us without even having to be asked.

Cao's services will be held 3 p.m., Saturday, June 18 at Harvest Valley Christian Church, 3200 Hopyard Rd. Pleasanton.

Jones remembered Cao as a friend and gifted writer, and closed: "How do we say goodbye to someone we don't want to let go of? My answer? We don't. Sharon was so vibrant, so smart, so funny, and so much fun. The various aspects of her personality and her life far outweigh the tragedy of her death. Let's take them with us, and in doing so, we'll take Sharon with us, too."

E-mail a friend a link to this story.