ST. MARY'S COUNTY, Md. — Friday night, the St. Mary’s County community came together to honor the life of Jaelynn Willey, who died exactly a year ago after being shot by a classmate in her high school.
On March 20, 2018, a gunman walked into Great Mills High School and shot her in the head. She died two days later.
Friday night, her friends, family and community celebrated her life.
Those who knew her said she was a light that would never burn out.
“The light does not go out, the light that we have shared tonight, that light that Jaelyn brought to your life and my life and the light of this community does not go out,” one of the speakers said during the vigil.
Community holds memorial for Jaelynn Willey, 16-year-old killed in Maryland school shooting
Dozens of people lit candles and listened to speakers before praying together at the event.
“This has been a really hard week for us, re-living this week has been really tough,” Joanne Kotterwas, a friend of the family who attended said. “The outpouring of support is really wonderful, and we are definitely looking to see action by legislative change as well. It is frustrating to know that kids do keep getting killed.”
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Earlier this week, Jaelynn’s mother asked everyone to wear teal in honor of her daughter. It was Jaelynn’s favorite color.
She is also encouraging everyone to do “random acts of kindness,” because that is something Jaelynn would do.
