One day in April 25 years ago we watched 13 families as they grieved. Their loss was felt by people far beyond Columbine High School‘s community – grief moved its way through the state, around the nation and worldwide.
Forever in our memories are 13 faces that correspond to 13 names. Their stories led to changes across the country in how schools and police departments react and respond to school shootings.
That day 25 years ago also brought meaning to communities and inspired a day of service. The families and friends of the victims tell us they still have one request of us – don’t forget.
Over the years, we have come to know some of the victims’ families and friends as we often return to them when we reflect. This year, we sat down with some of them to ask, “What would you want us to do as we approach 25 years since that day?”
They shared with us what they wish we knew about the people they lost. They were more than just a son or daughter, brother or sister or father and grandfather to the ones they left behind.
For many of us, the victims’ faces are remembered from that moment in time, but for family and friends of the victims, they hold memories from more than one single day. They hold onto all of the wonderful memories that led up to that single day – baby pictures, birthdays, anniversaries, kindergarten memories, family trips and their quirky habits or personalities.
Many of the families shared that they grieved so long about how their loved ones died until they chose to celebrate how they lived.
We will continue to keep a promise to them every year – we will never forget.
Rachel Scott, 17
Darrell Scott and Bethanee McCandless, Rachel’s dad and big sister
Darrell Scott lost his daughter and Bethanee McCandless lost her little sister Rachel Scott who was 17 years old.
“I was only 22 when Rachel died and she was my first loss,” McCandless said. “What I wish people knew was about who she was in a family. She was ‘sugar and spice’ is what I like to say. She was fun, she was sarcastic, she was silly. She was also serious. She could get deep, she was an old soul and being one of her siblings has been one of the biggest honors of my life.”
Rachel’s father Darrell said she was a natural beauty on the inside and outside.
“You can see the radiance in her eyes and the tilt of her head, she was very mischievous,” he said.
Looking back, he said it seems like it only happened yesterday in some ways.
“In some ways, it seems like two lifetimes ago – we’ve seen a lot of good come from her life,” he said.
