By Kennedy (Texas).

She was the loudest trumpet player in the back of the class while I was the timid flute player in the front row. Every day at the start of fourth period, she’d walk in and immediately brighten the room with her smile. With her wavy caramel colored hair and big blue eyes, there was no overlooking her anywhere. One day before class had started, she came up to me and began talking up a storm. From that day forward, we were best friends who experienced crazy adventures together. From our daily lunch conversations to our endless jokes, there was never a dull moment when I was with her. Gracie, you were such a light in my life.

On January 1, 2018, when I got the call saying you had died, I sat in my room and cried for hours. You were only fourteen years old. Way too young to take your own life. You had so much ahead of you and big plans for the future. I cannot imagine what was going on that you felt this was the only solution. As I experienced all the emotions associated with a death, the one that resonated with me the greatest was guilt. How could I have not known. Could I have done something different to change this path you were planning on taking? The rumors surrounding your death made the situation more difficult to deal with. I just did not understand.

Your candlelight vigil was beautiful; an entire church was filled with people who loved you and wore green in support of your family. The community and school tied ribbons around trees as a sign of remembrance. Tears streamed down hundreds of faces while pastors and friends shared stories of your time with us. I will never be able to fully understand what was going on in your life, but if I could go back to that day, it would be completely different. I would listen to you and talk you through whatever was happening. Suicide shouldn’t have been an option. Heaven may have gained an angel that day, but I will miss you forever and always, Gracie Lynne.

It’s been a little over three years since you left us. You are still not forgotten. Graduation is just around the corner and our senior class has already dedicated a seat for you to sit with us. You may not be here physically, but you will always be in our heart and in our minds.

Memories of You

By Kennedy Laney (2021 Winner)

She was the loudest trumpet player in the back of the class while I was the timid flute player in the front row. Every day at the start of fourth period, she’d walk in and immediately brighten the room with her smile. With her wavy caramel colored hair and big blue eyes, there was no overlooking her anywhere. One day before class had started, she came up to me and began talking up a storm. From that day forward, we were best friends who experienced crazy adventures together. From our daily lunch conversations to our endless jokes, there was never a dull moment when I was with her. Gracie, you were such a light in my life.

On January 1, 2018, when I got the call saying you had died, I sat in my room and cried for hours. You were only fourteen years old. Way too young to take your own life. You had so much ahead of you and big plans for the future. I cannot imagine what was going on that you felt this was the only solution. As I experienced all the emotions associated with a death, the one that resonated with me the greatest was guilt. How could I have not known. Could I have done something different to change this path you were planning on taking? The rumors surrounding your death made the situation more difficult to deal with. I just did not understand.

Your candlelight vigil was beautiful; an entire church was filled with people who loved you and wore green in support of your family. The community and school tied ribbons around trees as a sign of remembrance. Tears streamed down hundreds of faces while pastors and friends shared stories of your time with us. I will never be able to fully understand what was going on in your life, but if I could go back to that day, it would be completely different. I would listen to you and talk you through whatever was happening. Suicide shouldn’t have been an option. Heaven may have gained an angel that day, but I will miss you forever and always, Gracie Lynne.

It’s been a little over three years since you left us. You are still not forgotten. Graduation is just around the corner and our senior class has already dedicated a seat for you to sit with us. You may not be here physically, but you will always be in our heart and in our minds.

by Kennedy (Texas). She was the loudest trumpet player in the back of the class while I was the timid flute player in the front row. Every day at the start of fourth period, she’d walk in and immediately brighten the room with her smile. With her wavy caramel colored hair and big blue eyes, there was no overlooking her anywhere. One day before class had started, she came up to me and began talking up a storm. From that day forward, we were best friends who experienced crazy adventures together. From our daily lunch conversations to our endless jokes, there was never a dull moment when I was with her. Gracie, you were such a light in my life.

On January 1, 2018, when I got the call saying you had died, I sat in my room and cried for hours. You were only fourteen years old. Way too young to take your own life. You had so much ahead of you and big plans for the future. I cannot imagine what was going on that you felt this was the only solution. As I experienced all the emotions associated with a death, the one that resonated with me the greatest was guilt. How could I have not known. Could I have done something different to change this path you were planning on taking? The rumors surrounding your death made the situation more difficult to deal with. I just did not understand.

Your candlelight vigil was beautiful; an entire church was filled with people who loved you and wore green in support of your family. The community and school tied ribbons around trees as a sign of remembrance. Tears streamed down hundreds of faces while pastors and friends shared stories of your time with us. I will never be able to fully understand what was going on in your life, but if I could go back to that day, it would be completely different. I would listen to you and talk you through whatever was happening. Suicide shouldn’t have been an option. Heaven may have gained an angel that day, but I will miss you forever and always, Gracie Lynne.