“Memorial grows for 4 teens killed in car accident - Herald Tribune”

Memorial grows for 4 teens killed in car accident - Herald Tribune

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Published: Monday, March 14, 2011 at 9:36 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, March 14, 2011 at 6:31 p.m.

But by midday Sunday, the first mourners arrived and laid down flowers and a hand-written sign saying "you will be missed."

And then on Monday, the area next to a smashed cinder block wall where four young people died in a car wreck became a Mecca of sorts for the bereaved from across Sarasota. Scores of young adults parked cars along the street as they came to share their sadness and seek help in coping with the loss of two 19-year-old best friends and two teenage girls.

Luke Polley came with a shovel to put up a wooden cross his grandpa helped him make.

Someone set down a soccer ball to memorialize Andrew Monroe and Sean Leonard, both 19 and former members of the Riverview High soccer team.

And Jerry Kelderman came to say goodbye to his best friend, Jessica Leonard, 14, and Kelly Janis, 15, the first girl he ever loved.

"Two days ago she was calling me and telling me she still loved me," said Jerry, 17, who attended SMA with the girls, and could hardly speak due to grief.

By the time schools let out Monday afternoon, the accident site had become a shrine. Students of Sarasota Military Academy, where Jessica and Kelly attended, laid white school shirts on which they had written messages such as "R-I-P" and "Gone but not forgotten." A candle was lit.

Some who came wanted just to say goodbye, while others said they felt compelled to visit the site to convince themselves the tragedy really happened.

"I needed closure and I finally realized that it was real," said 16-year-old Riverview High student Lindsay Khampapha, who left a two-page note that included a drawing of herself with Monroe and Sean Leonard.

The grieving Monday began early with a pre-dawn memorial ceremony at SMA, where students just back from spring break laid down flowers at the foot of the school flag pole.

Some cried uncontrollably during the somber memorial service that included a lone bagpiper playing "Amazing Grace."

Headmaster Dan Kennedy said the school flag would fly at half staff for several days.

"Four young lives from our community lost to us as their hopes and dreams were just emerging and unfolding," Kennedy told the students. "We are all God's children and He will take us home as He chooses."

Students also recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the band played the national anthem as they do every morning at the school that uses military-style regimentation to provide students a disciplined environment.

Deanna Martinez, 15, remembered her classmate Kelly as goofy and fun. Kelly made her friends laugh by picking up objects with her toes and her quirky habit of stepping into coolers and trash cans.

"She was like the sun; she was always shining," said Martinez, who had written "Remember 3/13/11 RIP" on her polo shirt. "It's unfair. This shouldn't happen to good people."

Student Ashley Rayes recalled how much Jessica loved going to the beach and practicing circus stunts with the PAL Sailor Circus. "Her smile could light up the whole room," Ashley said.

The mood was also somber at Riverview High School, where Sean Leonard and Monroe graduated last year.

The school hired substitute teachers so three coaches could share stories about Monroe and Sean Leonard. School guidance counselors and a district psychologist also counseled students, said Melanie Dunham, assistant principal.

"More than anything, they're just listening," Dunham said. "That's what the kids want."

Diego Godina, an 18-year-old Sarasota High School graduate, was friends with Sean Leonard for more than four years.

After hearing of his friend's death, he compiled a photo montage with music that he posted on Facebook, a social networking site.

The montage includes a rap track that Godina wrote in honor of his friend.

"I never knew someone like him; he didn't try to be someone else," Godina said. "I'm never going to find a friend like him."

EARLIER

Students and staff at Sarasota Military Academy wept openly Monday morning as they tried to deal with grief over the death of two students, and emotions also were raw at Riverview High School, which lost two recent graduates in the same Sunday crash.

SMA students Jessica Leonard, 14, and Kelly Janis, 15, were killed in a car accident in Sarasota Sunday morning along with Jessica's older brother Sean Leonard and his best friend Andrew Monroe.

Students lay flowers at the foot of the school's flag pole, which flew at half mast.

Some cried uncontrollably during the somber memorial service that included a lone bagpiper playing "Amazing Grace."

Hundreds of students had written messages on their white school polo shirts like "RIP Jessica and Kelly," and "Gone but not forgotten."

Headmaster Dan Kennedy said the school flag would fly at half mast for several days.

"Four young lives from our community lost to us as their hopes and dreams were just emerging and unfolding," Kennedy told the school. "We are all God's children and he will take us home as he chooses."

The four teenagers died after Sean Leonard lost control of a 2007 Chevy Trailblazer on Wilkinson Road near Cattlemen Road at about 5:30 a.m. Sunday, a Florida Highway Patrol report states.

The SUV spun across the road and smashed into a cinderblock sound barrier wall before tipping onto its side.

An initial FHP investigation showed alcohol was not involved in the crash; Janis was the only one not wearing a seat belt.

Sean Leonard and Andrew Monroe, both 19, were Riverview High 2010 graduates who played on the school soccer team.

At the SMA ceremony, students also recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the band played the national anthem as they do every morning at the school that uses military-style regimentation to provide students a disciplined environment.

After the 20-minute ceremony, students stood around the flagpole weeping and hugging one another. Some got down on their knees and prayed.

Deanna Martinez, 15, said her classmate Kelly was goofy and fun. She made her friends laugh by picking up objects with her toes and her quirky habit of stepping into coolers and trash cans.

"She was like the sun; she was always shining," said Martinez, who had written "Remember 3/13/11 RIP" on her polo shirt. "It's unfair. This shouldn't happen to good people."

Student Ashley Rayes remembered how much Jessica loved going to the beach and practicing circus stunts with the PAL Sailor Circus.

"Her smile could light up the whole room," Ashley said.

The mood was also somber at Riverview High School, where Sean Leonard and Andrew Monroe attended before graduating from last year.

The school hired substitute teachers so the school's three coaches could meet with students who wanted to talk about the tragedy.

School guidance counselors and a district psychologist are also counseling students, said Melanie Dunham, assistant principal.

"More than anything, they're just listening," Dunham said of the counselors. "That's what the kids want."

Diego Godina, an 18-year-old Sarasota High School graduate, was friends with Sean Leonard for more than four years.

After hearing of his friend's death, he compiled a photo montage with music that he posted on Facebook, a social networking site.

The montage includes a rap track that Godina wrote in honor of his friend.

"I've never known anyone like him; he didn't try to be someone else," Godino said "I'm never going to find another friend like him."

Sean Leonard loved going to the beach and riding his long skateboard, Godino said. He described Sean as responsible but always fun to be around.

"He lost control of his car and four kids are gone," he said. "I'm still in shock. I can't imagine their reaction when they were flipping over, if they were screaming."

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