Seymour High School students plan to meet Thursday night to remember one of their own at an event organized by the teens themselves.
Courteney Kaliszewski, 16, died Sunday in a church van crash on Chapman Highway along with Cedar Grove Baptist youth director Jeff Trussell. Ten other people were injured, after the driver of a Chevy Blazer crashed into the van head-on on Chapman Highway.
On Wednesday, a vigil took place for Kaliszewski organized by family, but some of the girl's classmates wanted to do more.
"You know, no matter what everybody does, when something like this happens, people make an effort to make someone feel better," said Kaitlyn Ouellette, the high school junior who is organizing a memorial in Kaliszewski's honor.
The event started out as a small gathering that quickly grew thanks to Facebook.
"It started Sunday night with a phone call, 10-15 people. Now, it's 300 plus," said Chris Johnson, a Seymour High School student attending the memorial.
Ouellette said she was not close with the fallen high school junior, but
said this memorial will help the student body move forward.
"Something so tragic and to hear everyone dwell over it, I just want everyone to realize it may be the end of her life, but it's the beginning of something beautiful," Ouellette added.
The memorial will take place Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the Summit Church in Seymour. For more information, call 865-622-2022 ext. 102.