On Nov. 11, WHS and the community suffered the loss of beloved student Brandon Genlot. Brandon will be remembered by those who had the pleasure of knowing him through his one-of-a-kind soul, endless kindness, dedication to his hobbies and the love he showed to everyone and everything around him. Through the memories shared by those who loved him most, his excellence will be honored in Westfield forever. As the Hi’s Eye Staff grieves alongside the community, we hope to honor his life and commemorate his legacy as one of WHS’ best and brightest.
Teammate
Brandon was the epitome of dedication and heart, qualities that defined him on and off the court. Brandon played on the Westfield Police Athletic League football team from fourth to eighth grade, then joined the WHS boys volleyball team during his freshman year. On the football field, his commitment was unmatched. “He had the absolute biggest heart and was hands down the hardest-working player on the field,” said his former Football Coach Nicholas Calello. “He would give 150 percent effort and make things happen. That goes way beyond playing football.”
Brandon’s passion wasn’t limited to football. On the volleyball court, he was a force of nature and natural leader as the starting libero. WHS Boys Volleyball Coach Ed Saggio told nj.com, “Volleyball was a huge part of his life, and he set the tone in practice with his infectious energy. In Brandon’s eyes, the game was not over until someone scored 25 points, no matter the score. He played with passion and was poised to have a breakout senior season. We will miss his leadership this spring.”
In the off-season, Brandon took every opportunity to strengthen his mechanics. His co-worker at the Summer Playground Program Connor Loggie said, “I swear he would go everywhere with a volleyball. He left four at my house over the summer.”
Brandon joined the program as a counselor at Wilson Elementary School, and was named “best counselor” at the conclusion of camp by Nora Bergin, Brandon’s boss. She spoke to his exemplary work. “I can picture hearing the kids scream ‘Genlot,’ all day long,” Bergin said.
“I think he added a uniquely human quality to the camp,” Brandon’s neighbor and co-worker Will O’Hagen said. “He was so free, and he really embodied what a compassionate human being was. I think that translated well to being a counselor.”
Brandon was an optimistic teammate in every activity he participated in. Senior Kevin Deegan, Brandon’s co-worker, said, “Whenever we played kids versus counselors dodgeball, he’d always join the side of the kids, and he always helped them win.”
Friend
Brandon understood the power of friendship and never let himself fall victim to trivial high school cliches like cliques and popularity. “He was lovable, and I think every kid knew that too,” said O’Hagen.
During a stage of life where it is tempting to sacrifice individuality, Brandon placed value in embracing people’s differences. Senior Brendan Mueller said, “He never spoke poorly of people and I strive to be like him in that aspect. I also strive to have as much confidence as he had; he lived every day to the fullest and never wavered to others’ judgment.”
Brandon possessed the unique ability to change the course of someone’s day with just a smile. “Genlot always had a smile on his face, and his bright spirit always put me in a better mood,” said WHS graduate Grace Kim. “We never ran out of things to talk about—from volleyball to heated discussions about the last physics test, all while he played me his favorite songs.”
Health Teacher Susan Kolesar said, “I worked with him through the mask days of COVID, so, sadly, I didn’t get to see that amazing smile back then. He more than made up for it once the masks came off. What a smile.”
His benevolence is what leaves a lasting impact on all who knew him. No matter the day, “Brandon had a kind heart and was a very nurturing person. He would never fail to light up a room,” said senior Juliana Martorina.
Brandon was a source of joy for his friends, and found a way to make their time together special. Senior Matthew Zheng said, “Last time I hung out with him over the summer, we went to an escape room where he led the group to solve the puzzles. We ran out of time, but the owner gave us 30 extra minutes and canceled the group ahead of us because we were really entertaining.”
In a recent text sent to senior Aiden Carlucci, Brandon said, “I’ve been taking days as they come.” Carlucci shared this as a testament to Brandon’s grounded and humble character who valued living in the moment.
Despite only being 17, Brandon carried a wisdom that those around him could learn from. Senior Ethan Zhu said, “His tremendous impact as a brother, student, athlete and friend has had the greatest influence on my life, and for that, I am eternally grateful to have been one of Genlot’s friends during his time here with us.”
Student
“Brandon was the type of student that teachers dream of having in their classroom,” said Brandon’s Third Grade Teacher Annemarie Lawrence at Jefferson Elementary School. Across the board, teachers and faculty have all reached the same conclusion: Brandon was a passionate learner who saw the value in maximizing his education.
Co-Coordinator of Project ‘79 and History Teacher Gabriella DiGiorgio joked, “He really liked to learn, it was weird, truly.” She said, “When he found something he was into I could never get him to stop googling it.” He wanted to learn to contribute to his future, not to get an A. “[Brandon] wanted to be an astrophysicist, so he knew everything there was to know about black holes,” DiGiorgio said.
Brandon was always up for a challenge, seeking out things that are unfamiliar to others. Last year, Brandon was inducted into the Chinese National Honor Society. Mandarin Teacher Kim Ou-Yang said, “He chose to challenge himself with writing characters which is not easy, especially for someone who has no Mandarin background.”
Not only was he an excellent student, he was most importantly always willing to lend a helping hand in the classroom, making each classroom he entered a welcoming place for all of his classmates. AP Physics Teacher Valentino Scipioni said, “Brandon demonstrated a rare and beautiful quality: the ability to lift others up without hesitation. His genuine care for his peers, his willingness to help anyone in need and his natural ability to listen and empathize made him a beacon of positivity in our school community.”
AP Psychology Teacher Cathy Luis said, “He really was nothing but a beautiful person. That boy, anytime I saw him in the hallway, had nothing but a smile on his face.”
Brandon’s positive influence was evident throughout WHS, especially in his open-mindset. Brandon would always ask his teachers every year to sign his yearbook with advice on how he could make himself better for the next year. Math Teacher Matthew Gironda said, “I remember telling him how difficult it was to do that because he already has the entire package.”
Even though AP Language Teacher Kimberly Gosen-Fowler only taught Brandon during his senior year, his growth mindset did not go unnoticed. “He was always asking ‘What can I do better?’” said Gosen-Fowler. “How beautiful is that concept? We would be so much better off if we all adopted Brandon’s mindset.”
Click on the gallery to see photos provided by Brandon’s friends and family
Stories about Brandon:
Friend, Hannah Ge – “We had many common interests such as volleyball, food – so much that I had skipped one of my games to try the krabby patty meal with him that he was talking about for months, listening to new music, the list goes on. I would really consider him one of or if not truly my best friend. We had many mutual friends and they would tell me how he would constantly talk about the jokes we made or our weekends together. His passing was heartbreaking, but he is only gone physically. The good memories and impact he made on people, his bright smile and laugh, uplifting spirit and kind heart lives with us and will always be with us forever. Brandon Genlot was the sweetest soul ever and I don’t just hope but I know that everybody who met him realizes that. Prayers to his family. I love you Brandon rest easy and in peace.”
Substitute Teacher Mr. Owens – “Since he started at WHS as a freshman, Brandon rode his bicycle to school. It might have been, at least at first, a BMX bike, but I’m not sure. Brandon rode in all weather conditions — hot, cold, wet, dry or frozen. He always wore shorts and for the first couple of years a wool cap pulled down over his ears. Then he got a new haircut and began showing off his very handsome head of hair. (I don’t remember if he kept those locks under a helmet, as he should have when he rode and as I always do still; as if that makes any difference now).
Brandon and I became acquainted through our bicycles. I also ride my bike, a fifteen-year-old gray Giant hybrid, to school most days. But I am not as bold, fearless, or impervious to wintry weather as Brandon was. I typically put my bike away after the first snowfall, not to pull it out again until the spring thaw. Brandon was indefatigable. Our usual meeting spot was somewhere near the traffic circle as his path from home converged with mine. Occasionally, he would slow down to exchange greetings out of a sense of courtesy, until I shooed him along, not wanting to restrain his youthful energy. Often, we would meet up at the bike racks near the back entrance to the school, chat a bit and be on our separate ways. Often, our paths would cross again in class as I subbed in one class of his or another. I never had a conversation with Brandon that I did not enjoy or gain cheer from. Cycling “with” Brandon was a daily pleasure. I will always remember him with fond affection as my Bicycle Buddy.”
Friend, Theo Hamadallah – “I remember we both made the JV volleyball team when I was a Junior and Brandon was a Freshman. In one of the first games of the season my whole family came to see us play and on this play brandon went from one sideline to another sprinting to get the dig and he did but right after that he hit himself with the bleachers, after the game my mom said to me, that kid is special. The practice following the game he got moved up to varsity as a freshman.”
Social Studies Teacher and Co-Coordinator of Project ‘79, Ms. DiGiorgio – “One time he was horizontally sleeping on the floor. The rule with my ninth period class was you need to be a human if there was another adult in the class who wasn’t me and everyone was very respectful of that, even though it was ninth period and everyone was kind of done. Who walked in as I was mid lesson and Brandon Genlot was sleeping on the floor, my boss. And she looked at me, who looked at him and I looked at him and he looked back at me with one eye open sleeping from the floor. And he was like ‘Oh’ and he didn’t move. I looked at my boss and said, ‘He has an A, I don’t know what to tell you.’ Then he proceeded to raise his hand from the floor and be the only one who answered the question I asked right. The rest of the class wasn’t even phased, all 15 of them were just like ‘Yeah, this is what Genlot does. He sleeps on the floor sometimes and yeah we’re cool with it.’”
Friend, Chris Wellnitz – “Every day after first-period AP Psychology last year, Brandon and I would walk for a little bit to our next classes and talk about some new interesting science thing we learned about through a video or article or something. I always looked forward to chatting with him about stuff we were both interested in, and his enthusiastic energy in those early mornings really helped brighten my mood on some rough days. I’m very grateful that I got to know him, even if just a little bit.”
School Counselor Robyn Solomon – “As Brandon’s school counselor these are the things that stood out to me the most. I loved our talks and was so impressed with his drive. He is dearly missed. Brandon liked to listen to music and build playlists so that they fit his specific moods. In his freetime Brandon liked to read, research about space and astronomy, use quiet time to think about and build successful habits, as well as understand life around him. He liked spending time with his own thoughts, which can be unique for a teen. Many teens do not want to spend time alone. Brandon liked to wake up super early – 3AM! He found joy in it.
Brandon was on his way to being successful in his dream of majoring in physics/astronomy. He knew that if he applied himself he could do anything. He would do whatever it takes to accomplish something that he holds dear. Each year Brandon would challenge himself further by taking more difficult classes, and he was successful. Brandon was so excited to learn AP Physics C and AP Chemistry in his senior year. He was more concerned that he learned the content than what his grade was, which is also unique at WHS. ”
Friend, senior Juliana Martorina – “When we were little we would always do fun activities together with our families like going to the beach, waterparks, fairs, zoos, aquariums and so much more. With him there he would make it so much more fun with his goofy personality. One of my favorite memories was when we went to the Turtle Back Zoo. It was during the winter season so we took pictures by the snowman and we were all getting ready for the camera when all of a sudden Brandon started climbing on the snowman making funny faces, which made us all laugh. He never failed to always put a smile on all our faces no matter what we were doing. He leaves behind a legacy of laughs, kindness and compassion towards others that will never be forgotten.”
Friend, senior Thomas Jasina – “He would always talk about self improvement and he was so proud of the person that he’d become, which was really meaningful. It made me reflect on, what can I do better? How can I be like a better person, which was something that I admired about Brandon, because he was always looking to improve. That’s something that I definitely implement in my life [from him]. He was just kind. He would always stand up for kids and for me. He would always sit with kids that didn’t have anyone to sit with. Even if I needed homework, with no hesitation, he said yes. I’d ask him anything, he wouldn’t tell me no. He’d always put his best effort to help, even if he couldn’t. He was a really good person, which is why it really hurt when I heard the news.”
Boss, Mathew Buchek – “I remember, whenever we did Water Wars days, he was always the wettest every single time I showed up, he’d have his sleeves rolled up and he would be completely wet. The kids really loved him and they really loved interacting with him and they always yelled Genlot. I did hear that quite a bit. I think he did go in the dunk tank with us, too, right? [context for eics: dunk tank was filled with murky water, Genlot was one of the few counselors who went in for the kids] He got in and he did with a smile on his face and the kids wanted to dunk him, everybody was jumping the line trying to get up to him because they cared for him so much and yeah, exactly what Nora said, he was the definition of what we look for in staff.”
Co-worker and friend, Jon Giglio – “I’ve known him when I was a senior, when we were playing football, when I was on the football team, the freshmen are their own separate team. But for the last few weeks or so, before the Thanksgiving game, the freshmen, they joined the varsity team, and we both played an offensive line, and I remember him like being a freshman, and like, I was a senior, my career was almost over, and whenever we would have practice, we both played o-line. We were in the same position group, so we spent a lot of time together. And every time Coach DeSarno would call for backups, like even the juniors and the sophomores like going up against some of the best kids on the team, and he would always just throw himself in there, even if it wasn’t an ideal situation. Whenever I needed a breather or something, he would sub in for me. He was always stepping up.”
AP Psychology Teacher Kathy Luis- “I first started incorporating these feel good Fridays after the assembly we had, I don’t know if you were fortunate enough to attend it by the psychologist, the clinical psychologist, who came in and started describing how natural highs are ways to let dopamine run naturally through the body and get in a better mood and have higher energy levels. I said, Oh my god, this is such an amazing idea. I’m like, I can easily incorporate that in class. I’m like, it’ll be a little self experiment. See where we go with me. So I remember that first Friday I was going to start going alphabetically, and students each week would identify what’s the happy song we were going to jump to for the dice. So if it was for like, three minutes long, yeah, jumping for those three minutes. And Brandon was the first one, like, even though his last name was the G, he was the first one to volunteer. And he’s like, Oh, I have a song, and it was the iCarly theme song. And I only made the connection after the fact because I was like, Wait a second, like, my daughter’s listened to this song. I’m like, now I know where it’s I’ve heard it before. And when I went back and started looking over the lyrics of it, it just encompasses who Brandon was, you know, just like this happy, optimistic person who always, you know, was willing to help anyone around. And I remember he gave his all the whole time. Every Friday he was jumping and having a good time.”
Boss, Nora Bergin – “I think probably one of my best memories with him was his first summer, so 2023. I was going through my camera roll the other night, because I take pictures and videos of staff throughout the summer, and I found the picture or the video of him getting pied in the face. And he’s sitting there with his mouth wide open, laughing, and I don’t think I could name any other counselor that would take it like that. Who else was that excited to get a plate completely filled with whipped cream smashed in their face?”
Friend, senior Carson Donnelly – “Genlot was my lab partner for physics this year. He was always a helpful and friendly group member, and I was lucky to collaborate with him. He would always take charge when setting up equipment, collecting data, and taking the time to solve challenging problems the rest of the group was stuck on. I’m glad I had the opportunity to get to know him this year.”
Third Grade Teacher at Jefferson Elementary School Annemarie Lawrence – “I had the honor of being Brandon’s third grade teacher at Jefferson. Brandon was the kind of kid who leaves a lasting impact. He was funny, happy, smart, hardworking, and above all, kind. Brandon was the type of student that teachers dream of having in their classroom. He was a friend and role model to everyone. I will always remember his sweet little face, and his infectious laugh.”
AP Physics Teacher Josh Garodnick – “I was fortunate to have Brandon sitting at the seat closest to my desk all last year. As a result, I got to know him very well which makes his death that much more difficult. While I mourn his absence, I find myself thinking of all his positive attributes which then makes me realize I feel bad for those that never had the opportunity to get to know Brandon. To them, I’d tell them to think about that one friend that always seems to be in a good mood, likes to joke around in order to make others feel at ease, whose general presence seems to lighten the mood and bring positive energy, who you regularly see smiling and laughing, who doesn’t take themselves too serious, but at the same time you respect immensely because you know they are a good person to their core, and a person who would always be there for you. You got that person in mind? Yeah? Then you know Brandon and can appreciate why his absence affects so many.”