Kennedy High School principal Mary Wilcynski was looking forward to writing a college letter of application for Drew Wall some day.

She would have praised his 4.1 GPA, his numerous extracurricular activities, his community service, exemplary character, leadership and great spirit.

Sadly, Dr. Wilcynski never got to write that letter. Drew Wall died peacefully at his home on Nov. 26 after a five-year battle with cancer. He was 16 years old and touched many lives.

Instead of writing to colleges, Dr. Wilcynski sat down and wrote a letter to God. She read it Monday during the Celebration of Life services that were held in Drew's honor at the New Covenant Bible Church in northeast Cedar Rapids.

"Dear God, I just wanted to write you about Drew," Dr. Wilcynski began, and the hushed gathering of more than 500 paid close attention.

She wrote about his many accomplishments and his success in the classroom. This year alone, he was taking Chinese, advanced Algegra, chemistry, physics, language arts and world history.

"He undoubtedly would have been valedictorian here in 2015," she wrote. "He worked very hard at life. He was a Cougar through and through.

"He was a team player, God, so put him on a team and he'll help with your work. He was a role model for all of us, not just students.

"We're going to miss Drew, God, but we know you'll find ways to keep him with us every day," she said.

Mark Wilden, Drew's golf coach and a friend at Kennedy, wrote a thank-you note to Drew that he read during the services. Drew was a member of the team despite having his right leg amputated at the knee when he was 11 years old.

The Cougars dedicated their district golf title and second-place finish at the state tournament to Drew this year. Team members sat at the front of the church, wearing their purple "Drew" shirts in remembrance, as their coach said a few heartfelt words.

"Drew Drew: This is Coach Wilden," he said, reading his note.

He thanked Drew for his sense of humor, perseverance and determination. He reminded Drew about the day he played in a qualifying round with a loose screw on his bionic leg, so loose that Drew could swing his prosthetic leg around.

He thanked Drew for how much it meant for him to be a Cougar. He thanked him for his courage, spirit and inspiration to the team this fall. "You were not afraid or discouraged," Coach Wilden said.

"I promise we will continue to 'Just Drew It,'" he said, referring to the "Just Drew It" shirts that are being sold in his honor.

A speaker from Madison Elementary School remembered how Drew wanted to be the first astronaut on Mars.

Drew was known for his brilliant mind, musical talent and athletic ability at Madison when he was just in grade school. He was also in grade school when he lost his leg five years ago.

"Drew did not want to be special, but he was," a speaker from Taft Middle School remarked. "We'll miss Drew."

Steve Koepke, one of Drew's teachers at Taft and one of his golf instructors, recalled how Drew always insisted on catching up on his schoolwork after missing time for endless chemotherapy and radiation treatments. If his classmates were expected to do the work, he was going to do it too.

"That's Drew: I'm going to do it," Koepke remarked. "Drew taught me more than I ever taught him."

Koepke said Drew made an impact on many people, even people who didn't know him. "Drew's actions did most of his talking, and actions change lives," Koekpe said.

"It was an honor to teach your son," Koepke said, directing his final remarks to Doug and Robin Wall.

The Kennedy Show Choir, known as Happiness Inc., assembled on the stage and sang the song "For Good," which included the phrase, "Because I knew you, I have been blessed for good."

Beernard Hayes, the Elder at Noelridge Park Church that Drew attended, said "We are thankful to God for the gift of Drew."

Drew Wall was hospitalized on Nov. 14 and his family prepared to say goodbye. Instead of leaving, he courageously battled for 12 more days once they stabilized his condition and made him as comfortable as possible.

Finally, Drew and his family knew it was time. The insidious cancer had spread even further in his lungs and his digestive system had failed.

He returned to his home Nov. 26 and passed away peacefully a few hours later.

Drew was an accomplished pianist and led the worship team on Youth Sundays at Noelridge Park Church. He played the grand pianos at the University of Iowa hospital where he was treated, playing with his IV tower at his side. The hospital staff jokingly suggested he put his hat out for tips.

He shared his life story at numerous events and was an advocate for people with disabilities. In 2009, he joined Iowa Gov. Branstad when the Prosthetic Parity Bill was signed into law. Drew and other amputees had lobbied to ensure that all prosthetics would be covered by insurance.

This past October, he was selected as the Iowa Champion for the Children's Miracle Network. He and his family flew to Washington, D.C., where he met Sen. Harkin and President Obama at the White House.

Drew's favorite bible verse was Joshua 1:9: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Memorials may be made to the Drew Wall LIVESTRONG Fund at the Linn Area Credit Union.