December 9, 2025, marked the 17th birthday of Shubhansh Tandon, lovingly known as Shu. A beloved student at CORE, Shu, passed away on February 12, 2025, from heart complications, and his loss crushed anyone close to him and reverberated through our entire CORE community. He was the light of the school, an authentic beacon, and everyone near could feel his laughter and glowing smile. 

Leading up to his birthday, several students had the idea to make a giant birthday card for Shubhansh and his family. Sophomore Moriah Henderson made a beautiful floral design on the cover, featuring the words “It is well with my soul,” to commemorate our treasured peer. From lunchtime Thursday, December 4th, to 3 P.M. Tuesday, December 9th, the card was laid out on a small table with pens so that his classmates could leave birthday wishes. Many students stopped to add a message for Shu, and multiple pages were filled with memories, wishes, and prayers. 

That Tuesday, after classes were over, Shubhansh’s parents, Bill and Deepika Tandon, came to collect the card. There was not a dry eye in the building while friends of Shu gathered around the grieving couple as they shared memories of their son and offered his old phone number to anyone who wanted it. Mrs. Tandon shared that they still check his text messages. Shu’s phone still sits and charges on the table, and they love seeing what his friends have to say to him. CORE Insider invites anyone who would like to share further pictures or memories to do so in the comment section. 

Here are some of the messages and memories that CORE Butte shared in Shubhansh’s birthday card:

Gallery • 10 Photos

"Bill and Deepika, As I was making this card, I began drawing a garden on the front, because my heart led me to. To me, the flowers remind me of how hope can bloom from the darkest of places. The flowers began covering the entire front of the card, and it just reminded me of all the amazing seeds of joy and passion that Shubhansh spread all over our school and the entire community. I hope that you know how much we all still think about Shu, and think and pray for both of you. All of us love you very much, and think of you often. You both inspire me with your strength and love. Much love to you all, forever and always. Most truly, Moriah Henderson”