On July 23, 1994 in Washington, D.C., the grace of God blessed Dr. Niyana and Judith Rasayon with a healthy baby girl.  She was their fourth child. She came into the world with her eyes open, earning the first name Tekau, which means ‘to see clearly.’

Tekau, a senior at Surrattsville High School (SHS) in Clinton, Maryland, had a 4.0 GPA and planned to attend college after graduation. She was an active student at SHS, where she served as Vice President of her senior class, played multiple sports, and was a leader in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).  She was well liked by students, teachers, administrators and staff.  Outside of school, she was also a member of the Girl Scouts of America Troop 5669 for eight years.

Tekau was a dedicated and disciplined JROTC cadet from her freshman through her senior year. She was the Executive Officer of Wing MD-492, Commander of the award-winning Color Guard team, and a highly regarded instructor for the Cadet Officer Leadership Program (COLP) and the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA).  Tekau received numerous awards and commendations, including the Military Order of the JROTC Purple Heart Certificate and the Medal Award. 

Tekau was also active in a variety of sports, including basketball and tennis, and was the co-captain of the junior varsity volleyball team.  She volunteered at the SHS Special Olympics every year, and was a 2011 participant in Maryland Girls State.

She is remembered by her friends and peers for her cheerful attitude, beautiful smile, warm sense of humor, and constant willingness to lend a hand.  Tekau was thinking about becoming a lawyer, though she wasn’t absolutely sure. But that was okay — she was already who she needed to be.  Tekau was a truly adorable, witty, spontaneous, generous, and highly motivated young lady.  She was a counselor, a friend, a best friend, an angel, a loving daughter, a true love giver, a healer, a gift, a blessing, a leader, a rebel, an actress, an achiever, a negotiator, and a loving sister.  The world was a better place for all who were privileged to meet her. This young servant of the Lord’s eyes twinkled when she smiled, and her smile would light up the room. All of us who know her will remember her joy, her love of life, and that she loved to dance!

On March 28, 2012, God summoned a symphony to play a song that beckoned Tekau Turiya Rasayon to dance in heaven.