memorial of angels

April 20,1999

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Columbine High SchoolLocal link: it's a name that will mark history forever. Located in Littleton, Colorado -- the students there pressed to have the school closed forever. I can't blame them. Would you want to, as a teenager, have to step foot in those halls knowing that previous students had bled their lives away there? Though badly damaged by gunfireLocal link the school wasn't closed permanently, though some residents felt it should be.Some of the kids who were injured never returned to Columbine, too tramitized to ever go back again.

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Objective:

Rachel Joy Scott -- 17 years old
Rachel ScottPlayed the lead in a student-written school play, and liked photography. She was also active in Celebration Christian Fellowship church. She was "made for the camera," according to her father, and was an aspiring writer and actress. "There's nothing I can add or take away from what she gave us," her mom said. "In those short 17 years, it was complete." She had just performed in Columbine's Smoke in the Room and was writing a play for her senior year.

She quit smoking at the request of friend Nick Baumgart who later took her to the prom. If she hadn't quit, it's quite possible she would've been at Smoker's Pit during lunch instead of in the line of fire. Rachel was shot in front of the school cafeteria while she was eating lunch on the grass with friend
Richard Castaldo. She died from gunshot wounds to the head, chest, arm and leg. Her car was turned into a memorial in the parking lot of the school.
 
 
 
 
Isaiah Eamon Shoels -- 18 years old
Isaiah ShoelsWanted to be a comedian, dreamed of becoming a music executive. After graduating he wanted to attend an arts college. Friends nicknamed him "Bushwick". Born with a heart defect, his parents said he was a fighter who overcame his disability and went on to play football. He was studying in the library with
Matt Kechter and Craig Scott when the shooters entered the building. The last words he heard were from a killer spewing racial hatred. He died in the library from a gunshot wound to the chest.
 
 
John Robert Tomlin -- 16 years old
John TomlinA native of Wisconsin, he worked after school at a local nursery and belonged to a church youth group. Enjoyed four-wheeling in his truck and lifting weights. Family and friends remember his energy and the warmth of his smile. He had recently got his driver's license and had just bought a Chevy pickup that he had been working for since he was 14. He used to drive to Mexico to build houses for the poor.

His
truck, like Rachel's car, became a standing memorial in the parking lot. He died in the library from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and neck. His last act was comforting a student hiding with him under the table where he was shot to death. He was the first of the Columbine victims to be buried; he was interred in his hometown of Waterford, Wisconsin in a satin-lined coffin embroidered with Chevy trucks.
 
 
 
Lauren Dawn Townsend -- 18 years old
Lauren TownsendWas a senior and captain of the girls' varsity volleyball team, which her mother coached. She was a member of the National Honor Society. She was a candidate for valedictorian of her graduating class. Nicknamed "Lulu," she was a straight 'A' student - she never got a 'B'. She volunteered at a local animal shelter and planned to major in biology at Colorado State University.

She died in the library from multiple bullet- and shotgun wounds to the head, chest and lower body. Her funeral was held at Foothills Bible Church where her brother Josh played a tribute video filled with moments from her life. Her father wrote on her coffin: "Lulu, you'll always be my baby."
 
 
 
Kyle Albert Velasquez -- 16 years old
Kyle VelasquezNeighbors and relatives say he enjoyed chores and family activities. They say he was a "gentle giant." - he was six feet tall when he died. He loved nothing more than helping his dad out around the house - putting up shelves, mowing the lawn, washing the car. One friend said: "When he laughed hard, it became contagious to everyone around him... we will continue that laughter in your honor." A shy kid, Kyle was just beginning to come out of his shell when he was shot in the library.

He died from multiple shotgun wounds to the head and back. He was buried with military honors since his father was a Navy veteran. His parents Al and Phyllis were given the flags from his coffin and the one that was flown at half-mast in Kyle's honor at the state Capitol
.
 
 
 
William "Dave" Sanders 47
Coach Dave SandersComputer and business teacher for 24 years and coach of the girls' basketball and softball teams. He leaves behind his wife, four children and five grandchildren. His students said he was a teacher, a friend, a mentor and an inspiration. When the gunmen started firing outside the school he ran to the cafeteria and sounded the alarm. He helped get students out of the path of danger by herding them away from the shooters. He saved untold numbers of lives that day.

By the time the gunmen arrived, the cafeteria was nearly empty thanks to him. He was in the upstairs hall trying to get students safely hidden in classrooms when he was shot from behind, getting hit in the head/neck and upper torso. He managed to get himself into a science lab where he bled to death waiting for help that 911 told
students who were helping him was coming -- but didn't get there for 3 *hours*.

In regards to Dave, his daughter Angela said at his funeral: "What you did in that school on Tueseday was an amazing act of heroism. Even after you were hurt, you continued to be the brave, selfless man we all know you are."


 

 



Kyle Velasquez's funeral

Dave Sanders' funeral

Isaiah Shoels' funeral



Daniel Mauser's casket and grave

Daniel Mauser and Kelly Fleming's funerals were held at the same time. Kelly's is the green casket.




Kelly's interrment.



Cassie Bernall's funeral.



Rachel Scott's funeral


Rachel's mom signed her daughter's coffin.

Rachel Scott's teacher signs her coffin
Rachel's teacher signs her coffin.

Rachel Scott's coffin
Rachel's coffin
Rachel Scott's grave
Mementos left on Rachel's grave at
Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
Rachel's grave 2001
Rachel's grave, 2001

Rachel's grave 2004
Rachel's grave, 2004


2001 memorial service over the graves of
Rachel Scott, Dave Sanders and Corey DePooter.

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