Steve Jobs, Apple visionary and technology trail blazer, died Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at the age of 56 after a seven year battle with pancreatic cancer. Jobs’ brilliance will be remembered throughout the world, and for students who have grown up with Apple computers in the Clayton School District, Jobs’ death is especially saddening.

The young entrepreneur attended Reed College for less than one semester when he dropped out of school to pursue his business ventures. Within 35 years, Jobs’ garage project became the multimillion dollar company we know as Apple.

Clayton’s connection to Apple is undeniable. The entire Clayton School District uses Apple products, and many students have used Apple computers since early elementary school.

Junior Emma Riley reflected on Jobs’ death and her longtime experience with Apple.

“Jobs is someone who has shaped our generation’s world,” Riley said. “I’ve grown up with Apple products.”

Although Jobs took three medical leaves before officially resigning from his CEO position at Apple in late August of this year, some speculate his death will still have a major impact on the company.

Latin teacher Stephen Meier believes Jobs’ death could be detrimental to the future of Apple.

“I think that Apple may have trouble producing new products that are original enough to stay ahead of Android and Google,” Meier said.

Sophomore Claire Lisker agrees that Jobs’ death is a big loss, but Lisker is optimistic for the future of Apple.

“(Jobs’) inspiration and essence will remain,” Lisker said. “The company will continue to thrive.”

Meier reflects on his initial reaction when he heard that Jobs had passed away.

“I was surprised,” Meier said. “Looking back, I never really thought about the impact that he has had on the world via his creations.”

The future of Apple without Jobs is up for debate, but Jobs’ great influence is clear. Senior Sydney Wright esteems Jobs as “the Thomas Edison of our time” and commended his work as not only the co-founder of Apple, but also as the co-founder of Pixar, a popular animation company.

“He will greatly be missed,” Wright said. “Although Apple will never be the same, his legend will carry on.”

In Jobs’ commencement speech at Stanford in 2005, the visionary tells the crowd with conviction that he is cancer-free. Now, after over 11 million Youtube hits, Jobs’ speech is an eerie yet outstandingly inspiring must-see.

At the conclusion of his speech Jobs leaves the crowd with four words of profound wisdom: “Stay hungry, stay foolish.”