Sasan Ahoraian, a third-year physiological science student, Spring Sing Company cast member and host of the Beat ‘SC bonfire, died unexpectedly Saturday in Pomona. He was 20.
On Saturday, Ahoraian and friends William Lam, Matt Young, Gavin Aboudi and Linda Jin, attended a Passion Pit concert at the Fox Theater Pomona.
Halfway through the set, Ahoraian went limp and fell backward, as his friends broke his fall.
Although his friends tried to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Ahoraian faded in and out of consciousness before an ambulance came to take him to a medical center, where he was pronounced dead.
The cause of death is still uncertain, as an autopsy was initiated Thursday, Lam said.
Ahoraian was a well-known campus figure based on his involvement in events like Spring Sing and the Beat ‘SC bonfire, as well as the UCLA triathlon team.
But it was his role in Company during his first year that helped him to establish himself.
“It’s rare that we take freshmen, but Sasan … brought a presence to the room,” said Jeremy Alm, UCLA alumnus and 2008 Company director. “He was the epitome of young and spunky.”
Ruben Garcia, a UCLA alumnus and director of Spring Sing 2008, expressed similar sentiments.
“It’s hard for a first-year to audition for something they didn’t know about,” he said. “He was incredibly talented ““ he had great energy and enthusiasm about him. He was exactly what we were looking for.”
Despite Ahoraian’s youth and talent, Alm said he was always “a friendly guy” who never wanted to make anyone feel inferior.
This team-centered mind-set continued during his second year on Company, said Cassi Porter, 2009 Company director.
“He was the easiest person I’ve ever had to work with,” she said. “He’s caring, he was very open and honest with everything, … just a pleasure to be around.”
Although Ahoraian had successfully auditioned the year before, Porter said he was genuinely happy to reaccept a position and never took his role for granted.
As a result, Alm said many people wanted Ahoraian to be the first cast member to be on Company for all four years.
Ahoraian’s enthusiastic attitude led to roles in other campus events, such as the Beat ‘SC bonfire, which he hosted for two years.
“It takes a special talent … to get people pumped up, and … it was just amazing,” said Porter, who was also this year’s executive director of the bonfire. “(He) was absolutely fantastic on stage.”
Ahoraian’s friends echoed Porter’s statements.
“When he hosted the bonfire, we were so proud of him,” said Aboudi, a fourth-year anthropology student who lived with Ahoraian. “He always talked about how he loved performing and bringing people together.”
Ahoraian was born on July 27, 1989 in Los Angeles.
His father, Esfandiar Ahoraian, said that as a child his son was interested in everything from drawing and music to sports like basketball and soccer.
Ahoraian continued to pursue a variety of interests in high school, where he joined the swim team, basketball team and speech and debate.
He also joined a theater club, where he starred in plays like “The Tempest” and “Charlie Brown.”
“He always liked to be the center of attention and make everyone happy,” his father said.
When it came time to choose colleges, Ahoraian originally wanted to attend an out-of-state school, but eventually chose UCLA after getting a feel for the campus and being encouraged by his father to stay closer to home.
Soon, Ahoraian and his childhood friend Young, a third-year design student, became acclimated to their new environment.
While the large student population can be intimidating for some first-year students, Young said Ahoraian thrived in the university.
“Anyone he met, he became friends with,” he said.
With his friendly demeanor and caring personality, Ahoraian eventually befriended many students, said Jonathan Chau, a fourth-year marine biology student who was Ahoraian’s roommate.
“He was a guy you could connect to easily,” he said. “You could talk to him about anything.”
This sentiment was echoed by Lam, a fourth-year English student who also lived with Ahoraian.
Lam credited Ahoraian with helping him to get through a period of deep depression.
Lam said Ahoraian constantly made sure that he was OK and continued to try to build a close relationship with him, even when Lam did not want to do anything.
“He had a contagious personality,” he said. “Sasan always knew the right thing to say.”
Despite the nature of his death, Jin said Ahoraian was ecstatic while at the concert.
“Right before he collapsed, he had a great smile,” said Jin, a second-year neuroscience student. “I’m glad he was really happy in his final moments, surrounded by people he loved and with good music.”
Ahoraian is survived by his parents, Esfandiar and Elvia Ahoraian and a younger sister, Sheila.
A candlelight vigil was held Thursday at Bruin Plaza to allow friends and family to come together and share stories about Ahoraian.
Funeral services were held at Inglewood Park Cemetery on Dec. 23.
An additional memorial service will be held within the next two weeks at a time and location to be announced.