Many memories were made and countless miles were run with Leilani, but there's one memory in particular that I cherish. One day on a road run we ended up running together just the two of us and she opened up to me. She told me all about her family and talked about her life in general. We had always been friends, but this particular conversation brought us closer and I remember feeling extremely special because she trusted me. It's a simple memory but one I hold very close to my heart. We opened up to each other and I will never forget the amazing person she was. Love you forever Leilani thank you for your friendship. 

When I met Leilani I was only a freshman and I had a plan but I didn't really know where I was going. Leilani guided me through my first two years of high school, she didn't just give me advice or tell me what exactly to do, she helped me find my own way and find my own light. Maybe that's why she started calling me her little duck, she led me around through the hardest points of my journey. It hurts me when I think hers ended so soon but I know in my heart she would want all of her loved ones to continue theirs. For that reason, I'm going to do my best to make her proud and thank God for every second I had with her. It was a blessing to have had the opportunity to run by her side and I hope I can be at least half the woman she was. I'll always carry her in my heart. I loved her so much.

Too much to say. I have so many amazing memories with Leilani it would be impossible to pick the “best” one. Whether it was our 2 hour physics class, walking to the locker room, giving her a 3 min ride home from school, or getting tacos and Cuban pastries at night. I loved every second with her, the laughs/jokes and the 2-8 hour rants we would have made us closer than we ever expected to be.. considering we started hanging out towards the end of senior year. Although our time was short, it felt like I’ve know her for years. To narrow down all the memories I shared with Leilani, my most fond memory is before we were close.. she asked to stand with me at a football game and we stood watching the CIF playoffs together eating mediocre tacos and making small talk, to later running on the field and jumping with our Eastlake football team. Rest easy, Lani. 

Every memory with leilani was a good one but like 3 weeks ago one of our friends drove us home and me and leilani decided to ride in the back of the truck and my friend being extra, exaggerated every turn and i hadnt laughed like that in such a long time and when i looked over leilani was laughing just as loudly as me and it was great.

Leilani took first place in her last race of senior year track, the two mile at league finals. We were all so proud of her!

During my first and last year at Eastlake High, I was lucky enough to become good friends with Leilani. One of my favorite memories with her was going to the Del Mar Fair with our track friends. I’ll never forget being her ride partner on the horrible Orbiter ride and the cheesy Haunted Mansion. I’m so blessed to have shared even more memories with her during track season and the beginning of summer before college. We also shared one of our favorite songs, Tongue Tied by Grouplove. :) I wish Leilani was able to fulfill her successful future, but I know she’s in a better place. Heaven gained a true angel. Keep smiling up there, Lani. ❤️

I have many big memories with Leilani, like prom and graduation, but it’s the little everyday things that mean the most to me. She was one of my only friends to come to my art show, and even purchased some of my artwork. She always listened to me talk about relationship problems and helped me cope with the death of a friend from earlier in the year. We would goof around in class together and she would show me funny videos. She always pushed me to become a better runner and I specifically remember our last run of high school track together. I was working hard to keep up with Leilani and we were both tearing up so much as we ran. My last day before I left this town she ran all the way to see me one last time. It’s rare to have friends who go out of their ways for you like that, and maybe it seemed like a small gesture to her but it means so much to me. I’ll miss her so much and I’m so blessed to have had Leilani as part of my life.

i miss you so much leilani you always knew how to make me smile

One of my favorite memories of Leilani was at league finals for track this year. We were running the two mile together and for the first six laps I watched her struggle to get from second place into first because one of the girls from another school was giving her a hard time, every time she would try to move into first the other girl would cut her off. Finally I yelled “VAMOS LEILANI EMPÚJALA” and Leilani elbowed the girl and took off. I wanted to stay with Leilani since she was my running buddy, but it was definitely a challenge. She ran so fast it was like she didn’t get tired. Finally at the end of the race Leilani and I got first and second place and I was so proud of us, and very thankful for her pulling me along with her throughout the race. Leilani liked to see others succeed with her and did her best to always motivate those around her. She always gave everything 100% of her effort and never gave up. I have always admired her for her dedication and persistence in everything that she did. She was the hardest worker on our team and I can only hope to be half as good of a captain as she was. Love you forever Leilani, hope we get to run together again some day. 

Leilani may have been a “team mom” to most do the current eastlake cross country team, but to me she was like a little sister. And I won’t ever forget how proud I felt for her when she stepped up as captain, when she got accepted into her dream college, and when she truly embraced herself and grew into such a strong and beautiful young woman.

You will always remain in my heart, I love you Leilani.

This team is our family, and she was the heart and soul.

She organized our very first track and field senior night... i wish i could’ve made hers more special

I didn’t even know this photo existed... but im glad she had it up on her wall💙

Her smile always made everything brighter ✨😍

I don’t have a favorite memory with Leilani because all of them were amazing. But the most recent one was seeing her give advice to the high schoolers, it was as if she had grown right in front of my eyes.

I have a lot of fun memories with Leilani, but one that I like to remember is the time when Adamari and I went to the fair with her; it was truly one of the best days of my life. 

OBITUARY

Leilani Magno

25 July, 2000 – 8 July, 2018

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

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