AMERICUS — A hug. A hand squeeze. A shoulder to cry on.
Friends, family, neighbors, classmates and the Americus community came together Saturday to mourn the loss of three teenagers, and help one another cope with the pain.
A 90-minute candlelight vigil at Americus Park served as an emotional outpouring for a community unsure how to come to grips with the tragic loss of Kasi Hart, JoAnna Posey and Lenny Brown. The Northern Heights High School students were killed following a vehicle collision Wednesday three miles north of Americus. Joanna, 17, was a senior in school. Kasi, 16, was a junior and Lenny, 16, was a sophomore.
The vigil celebrated the lives of three remarkable young people, though cherished memories were mixed with feelings of disbelief and agony.
Stantanna Stewart and Megan Zimmerling, both sophomores at Northern Heights, tried to hold back tears but the memory of Lenny smiling at them was heartbreaking.
“We lost our best friend” Zimmerling said. “He was always there for us. He always made me smile.”
Though each of the teens will have individual funerals this week, JoAnna’s aunts, Misty Grame and Annette Barr, put together the vigil as a chance for the community to collectively honor the teens. Because Americus is tight-knit, many Northern Heights students and community members knew or got the chance to visit or hang out with all three.
“It’s the entire community that is grieving,” Grame said.
Though a few days have passed, Anita Westcott, a librarian at Americus Township Library, said the hurt has not subsided. In a town where everyone just about knows everyone else, the anguish is enhanced.
“When you hear sirens, this is the worst nightmare,” she said. “These kids had so much to look forward to. Their lives were cut so short.”
Northern Heights students Michael Hawthorne and Michael Lowder said the day after the accident, students at the school couldn’t hold back the pain.
“It was the most emotional day,” Hawthorne said. “Everyone was crying. I think everyone still can’t believe this is happening.”
Many of the approximately 450 people in attendance held candles, which illuminated the park. Friends and community members signed or wrote messages on cards and posters honoring the teens. A prayer was given and music was a big part of vigil.
All three teens enjoyed listening to music, and JoAnna sang the national anthem at the state basketball tournament in Emporia. Along with several family members, she went to Austin, Texas, earlier this year to audition for American Idol. Barr said she got one yes and one no vote from the audition judges.
“She was eligible for a callback,” Grame added. “She probably would have made it next year. She really did have a voice of an angel.”
A video of JoAnna singing can be viewed on YouTube. A link can be found on her Facebook memorial page.
With the candles aglow, friends and family stepped to the microphone to share memories. Lenny was remembered for his friendliness, humor, kindness to newcomers and ability to love. Friends recalled JoAnna’s passion for life, ability to push through difficulties and her amazing voice. Kasi was praised for her grace, energy, sweetness and being there for friends. All will be missed dearly, the speakers said.
Amie Hart, Kasi’s mother, thanked everyone who spoke and attended the vigil. Like other family members of the teens, she said it meant a lot to them to see the community come together.
After the proceedings, a group of Northern Heights students reflected on how the evening was a beautiful tribute.
“This is really going all long way to helping us heal,” said Brittney Harmon.
Tanya Mills, whose son is a freshman at Northern Heights, said the evening to some degree provided closure to a demoralized community.
“It’s hard but we are trying to stay strong and get through this,” she said.
Grame gently reminded those in attendance that the healing will be ongoing.
“When the funerals are over, the grief is not for the families,” Grame said. “Please keep them in your hearts. If you see them, give them a hug.”