Dec 24, 2008 11:44 pm US/Eastern
Beachside Memorial Held For Slain Dillard Student
FT. LAUDERDALE BEACH (CBS4) ―
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Amanda Collette's life was allegedly cut short by another classmate.
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Armed with a helium tank and a bag full of balloons, the family of slain high school student Amanda Collette sent the teen a special Christmas present Wednesday.
Dozens of Collette's family members gathered on Ft. Lauderdale beach to send a bevy of balloons skyward.
"Words can't express how much we miss her," said cousin Kim Sutton. "She's very well missed, very much missed and our family will never be the same without her."
Collette came from a large family and it seemed all of them showed up in the rain and windy conditions to send prayers and wishes to Amanda.
Collette's mother helped fill the dozens of white balloons and 15 pink ones with helium. The pink ones represent one year in Amanda's short life.
Her stepfather, Anthony Thompson, said Amanda is always close to their hearts.
"We are with her," Thompson said, "and we wish she was here with us even though we know in spirit she is."
Collette was shot and killed at Dillard High School on November 12. Teah Wimberly is accused of killing her and is charged with second degree murder.
But Wednesday was not about the past. It was about remembering this child who loved to dance and loved to bring joy to her friends and family.
There was sadness, but also smiles. Two of Amanda's cousins recalled a recent Christmas when Amanda was the first in her group of cousins to receive a cellphone.
"She was so excited but she was so devastated when she dropped it the first time," said cousin Dania Sutton. "She was like 'oh no, I dropped my cellphone.' It was hilarious."
Wednesday's gathering was part family reunion, part celebration and part prayer vigil. The family even gathered in a circle to recite Psalm 23 in Amanda's memory.
"Something like this you can never really get over," said Dania Sutton, "but you just have to try to. You just try to live your life on but it'll never be the same without her."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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