The Wedding Party
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Melinh Lai
Once upon a time, I met Amanda in grad school, and I said "Hey are you going to the women's march this weekend" and then we went to the women's march and Jessica came too and we marched and we were women and it was nice. Then Amanda drove us to the 2017 eclipse and we were probably super annoying but she still liked us even after being stuck in traffic until like 2 am. Some time after that, I got to the movies early and Andy was there and it was my first time meeting him, so I immediately texted the others to "please get here immediately" because I felt awkward just hanging out with Amanda's new and incredibly tall boyfriend. But that turned out great, because Andy is very nice. Even later yet, Amanda and Andy somehow convinced me and Jessica to go camping and many many hours of road trip silliness later, we had coined a friend group name, The Road Brothers. I'm telling you all of these silly stories because, to be honest, I don't think I have the words to describe how wonderful it is to be friends with Amanda and Andy. I wish I could tell you about every interaction, every conversation, every joke to show you how warm and fun and kind they are and how I would simply be a different and worse person without them. It is one of my life's greatest privileges to call them my friends and even more so to witness their love for each other today. I love you, AmAndy, my brothers, in all of the ways that shape my life for the better and in none of the ways that are weird when two people who you both call brothers are getting married.
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Jessica Siler
Hey what's up, it's me, ya boy, Jessica! I met Amanda when she moved here for grad school - we were in the same program and shared an office for many years. I remember when she first told me about her upcoming date with "redwoods guy" (aka Andy) while we were getting swole at the gym. Also, I am 1/4th of the Road Brothers! Early in Amandy's courtship, Amanda, Andy, Melinh, and I went on a camping trip in western Illinois and there the "Road Brothers" inside joke was born. I couldn't be happier that my dear sweet brothers are marrying each other!
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Tony Mencio
Hello everyone! I am Tony Mencio, Andy's Texan cousin! I have known Andy since I was 2.5yrs old and he was born. Whether it was building race tracks and seeing which car could go the furthest and fastest at our Grandparents house in San Antonio, TX, swimming on a hot summer day, playing in the snow of an Illinois winter fighting cabin fever, or spending 20+yrs attempting to FINALLY beat every team in NBA JAM, with the San Antonio Spurs, on Super Nintendo, every time we have been able to get together it is always a time I'll never forget!
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Catherine Liu
Katherine and Amanda have been friends since high school. For a while, they were lucky to be in-person friends: all the way from book club to prom to UCSD, sharing a love of reading and crafting. Then they both decided they were going to subject themselves to years and years more of school, and ended up in graduate programs that separated them geographically. During the pandemic, they took up regular video crafting sessions together, making quilted jackets and cute moon themed housewares. Katherine is ecstatic to see Amanda find her perfect life partner in Andy, and to get to celebrate their wedding with them.
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Gabrielle Wszalek
Gabrielle Wszalek is the manager of federal advocacy content and started at the National Alliance during the summer of 2022. She previously interned for two members of congress on Capitol Hill while completing her undergraduate degree. After college, she completed a year of service with AmeriCorps focusing on housing instability and housing equity and went on to work with youth experiencing homelessness in Austin, Texas.
Gabrielle received her undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her master’s degree in Legal Studies from Washington University in St. Louis.
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Maris Wszalek
Maris is delighted to be making her debut with the Kelley-Wszalek troupe. Recent credits include the Laine and Stamper weddings and Mencio funeral. She recently earned her degrees from the University of Illinois and currently resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with cat Ethel and partner Max. Her hobbies include playing the piano, running along the Schuylkill River, and calling her siblings during the workday. She wants to thank all her friends and family for making this production possible!
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Christian Pedersen
Hailing from the greater Rockford area of Northern Illinois, Christian lived in Champaign-Urbana from 2018 until the summer of 2024. During that time he had the good fortune of meeting Andy wile the two worked together at the now-defunct Champaign/Rugged Outdoors retail store (RIP). Over the years that followed he got to know both Andy & Amanda better while enjoying a pint or two at one of their favorite local watering holes (Triptych's patio during the pandemic days, the picnic tables at Riggs in the spring/summer, their front porch year-round), or while gathered around a campfire--either out in the woods, or from the comfort of their respective backyards. He is honored to have been chosen by the couple to share in their special day!
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Sam Noonan
My name is Sam Noonan. I’m was born, raised and currently still live in Champaign/Urbana. I met Andy the summer before 1st grade as we were both going to be moving to the same school and I couldn’t have asked for a better life long friend. As I’ve gotten to know Amanda better over the last couple months, I honestly can’t say I’ve met two people more perfect for each other. Congratulations on your big day and thank you so much for letting me be a part of it!
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Jeremiah Wilson
Hi everyone! My name is Jeremiah and I'm honored to be the best man, for my best friend Andy! My last name may not be Wszalek, but Andy and the Wszaleks have been family to me for close to 25 years now. I'm excited to share in this memorable moment as Andy and Amanda (FINALLY) tie the knot.
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Erin Kelley
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