Annika Stephanie Dace: My Tribute

Annika and I as LaQuisha and Horatio - the hosts of "British & Black"

I can't really remember the first time I met Annika Bellinger. Some friends have these really great, colossal stories about how they met and became friends. If there exists such a story for Annika and myself, I can honestly say that I don't remember it. And I think that's for the best. I may not remember the first time I met her, but I remember a lot of the steps along the way. That, I think, is the real mark of friendship.

I met Annika at Olivet Nazarene University during my freshman year. We were in the fall play together - Abe Lincoln in Illinois (she was Gobey; I doubled up as Bowling Green/Mr. Crimmin) - and I seem to recall us being good friends by the end of it. (Perhaps this is where we met... but, like I said before, I don't really remember.) From that point on, Annika made it a point to include me in her 'adventures'.

A "story" Annika wrote during the all-day-long rehearsals for "Second Grade Glow"

(NOTE: The word "adventures" is intentional. Annika did not live life like I did. She sought out ways to make the world around her more fun and exciting... and pulled in as many of her nearest and dearest in order to make such a thing possible.)

One of the earliest of these 'adventures' that I recall happened my freshman year. My buddy Dan Aumiller and I were chilling in one of our rooms and we got a phone call from a group of girls calling from our lobby. We head down to see Annika, along with Marlene (who would go on to marry Dan), Amanda, and Sarah Bean dressed up like the Spice Girls filming a music video around campus to the song "Wannabe". And they wanted Dan and I to be part of it. I still remember watching the video and laughing uproariously at the looks on Dan and my faces.

L to R: Marlene as Josie, Me as Me, Annika as Val, and Gloria as Melody

As the years went by, more fun was had. I recall a post-Christmas banquet trip to a bowling alley and a movie (with what we described as "the most random group of people ever") that Annika helped to put together. I remember Annika, Marlene, and another girl named Gloria dressing up like Josie and the Pussycats and performing an impromptu concert after chapel one day to celebrate my nomination as Mr. ONU. I laugh when I think about how Annika, Beth, and Kenna drove three hours from Illinois to see me in a small community theatre production of "Anne of Green Gables" I was doing one summer. I still smile when I think of the awesome memories we shared as a part of ONU's first 24-Hour Theatre where Annika and I, along with Bethany Demmin, acted in the Dave Moore-written, Kate Zarko-directed "Second Grade Glow."

Annika, myself, and Bethany in costume for "Second Grade Glow"

Perhaps my best memories of Annika came from our time together as members of Olivet's premiere improv comedy team, Spoons 4 Forks. Annika joined in the second year of the team's existence and added a vital element that we were sorely missing - that of the "scrawny black chick" (as she was so fond of dubbing herself). While a part of this great group of comedians, Annika proved that she was not just funny on her own, but funny with a large group of people - able to hold her own against personalities every bit as large as her own. She helped to craft such memorable characters as Geppettoisha (a ghetto female version of Geppetto of "Pinnochio" fame - it was this character that coined the immortal S4F-ism, "Where my puppet at?") and LaQuisha, the co-host of the always-hilarious-but-often-controversial film review show "British & Black".

An example of Annika's hilarity in this S4F video c. 2005

Annika was also known for her acclaimed dance parties, many of which took place at the home of her boyfriend Trevor's mother, Cathy "Mama" Dace. Dan and I took to calling these shindigs "Dace Dance Revolutions." We would get together, eat good food, laugh, dance, and generally have a fantastic time! Annika was the most energetic person I've ever met - she brought with her a sense of spontaneity and fun that was unparalleled by anyone else.

Annika got married to her longtime boyfriend Trevor Dace on September 15th, 2007. I was lucky and honored enough not only to be in attendance, but to stand in their wedding. Trevor had been a dear friend as well and, in my mind, there is very little greater than seeing two of your good friends committing themselves to one another. The wedding was a blast and a treat and I will remember it fondly always. Annika was glowing. I've never seen her happier!

Annika & Trevor's wedding party - 9/15/2007

My last memory of Annika is one I will look upon fondly. I had come up to Olivet to visit during this year's homecoming. There were supposed to be a number of reunions going down - an S4F reunion and a Dinner Table reunion - both of which were cancelled. I made the trip up anyway and Annika, in her graciousness, co-hosted (along with Marlene Aumiller) a fondue party in my honor. We spent the night eating, laughing, reminiscing and having an all-around good time. It was a fun night and I felt lucky to have been there and lucky to have such great friends.

My good friend Annika passed away this morning at the age of 26. While I don't know a lot of the specifics surrounding what happened, I do know that it was unexpected and sudden. Her Facebook status, posted a few hours earlier, read "Annika Stephanie Dace wishes everyone a Happy Easter! He has risen! He has risen, indeed!" When I talked to Trevor a few hours ago, he took comfort in those words... and I do too.

I know where my friend is right now and I live with confidence that I will see her again. Laugh with her, cry with her, and possibly even dance around like a maniac with her. She was a true friend who knew how to cheer a 'brother' up and make a person feel valued and important. It seemed like her life's mission to leave a lasting imprint on every person she came across.

I can't speak for the rest of the world, Annika, but I can speak for me: mission accomplished!

In loving memory
Annika Stephanie Bellinger-Dace
September 4, 1982 - April 12, 2009