The death of 69-year-old singer and pop culture icon David Bowie last Sunday, Jan. 10 affected the lives of many CHS students, as did the death of 69-year-old actor Alan Rickman just a few days later on Jan. 14.

Bowie, who had released his album “Blackstar” just two days earlier, died of liver cancer after fighting the disease for 18 months. Known for his ever-changing style and constant innovation, Bowie continued working throughout his illness.

While fans and fellow musicians paid tribute to the singer all over the world, CHS students reacted to the death.

Sophomore Veronica Yaron of Little Silver remembered Bowie as “so wild that he created an era.” Yaron commended Bowie, saying “his commitment and dedication to art, self expression and creation in itself is just mesmerizing.”

Yaron said she felt “numbness at first, and then sadness” when she heard of his death.

Although upset by the death of Bowie, Yaron said she feels that his death will affect her in the future.

“Maybe [I will get] a new pump of ambition to create,” Yaron said. “When a guy like him goes to the stars, you can’t help but stand a little straighter and work harder.”

Rickman, who died of pancreatic cancer, was well-known for his portrayal of Professor Snape in the “Harry Potter” series, as well as his role as Harry in the popular film “Love Actually”.

Rickman’s death hit freshman Rebecca Rippon of Ocean particularly hard.

“I actually cried when I found out he had died,” Rippon said of her initial reaction. “It really hit me a lot harder than I would’ve expected it to.”

Rippon, a self-proclaimed “huge ‘Harry Potter’ fan,” praised Rickman’s portrayal of Professor Snape.

“He brought his character to life … he executed it so well,” she said.

As for the future without Rickman, “he made my life better just with his acting, so that’s something that’ll always be with me,” Rippon said.