Bailey – More than 500 people gathered Thursday evening to remember a teenage girl who was killed one year ago, to keep alive her legacy of caring and sharing.
Food, music, teens playing football and children running through the grass – it was a festive gathering, one that only sporadically gave way to tears as friends of Platte Canyon High School shooting victim Emily Keyes broke down.
But for the most part, “Bailey United” was a gathering of strength and community.
“Definitely, being surrounded by those who understand the sense of loss, it helps a lot,” said 17-year-old Christina Rino, a friend of Emily’s who had known her since third grade.
Rino read a poem during a candlelight vigil dedicated to Emily. She also let out a burp because she remembers burping and laughing with Emily during good times they had together.
The food – enough to feed 700 – was donated by local groups, businesses and individuals. It was cooked and served by volunteers, people who wanted to give back to their tightknit mountain community in honor of Emily.
Christopher Hopkins, who runs a local tax service, moved to Bailey with his family in July 2006, about a month before the school siege and shooting.
Hopkins said he moved from Centennial to get away from the big city and problems associated with it, including crime.
“It kicked in the reality that it could happen in any community, much less a small community,” Hopkins said.
But Bailey’s reaction to Emily’s death made Hopkins realize he picked the right spot to move to, he said.
“I saw a community that really could have shut its doors and go into overprotection,” he said. “Instead we just started to embrace everybody and unite.”
Part of the community service Thursday night at the Farmers Union Education Center included a blood drive for the Bonfils Blood Center.
Cpl. Amy Franck of the Park County Sheriff’s Office gave blood after getting off work while still dressed in uniform.
“It’s just the right thing to do; it’s for Emily,” Franck said.
Teenagers and some adults signed a big board at the gathering, sharing their thoughts and leaving messages for Emily, including:
“You’re in our hearts.”
“We miss you and we’ll make you proud.”
“Emily rocks …”
Jaron Maggard, 15, a sophomore at Platte Canyon, said he’s still getting used to the new security measures at school.
He was in gym class when the siege started and recalls it as “scary.”
Now, he’s looking to the future and thinking of doing volunteer work in a medical field as an adult.
“I think it’s important to get together in this way,” Jaron said. “Last year I saw it strengthen our community, and this is reinforcing it.”
During the candlelight vigil, Emily’s parents, John Michael Keyes and Ellen Stoddard-Keyes, looked out over the sea of flames flickering and thanked everyone for coming and for all the support.
Fundraising events in Emily’s name are planned Saturday, including a motorcycle rally from Columbine High School to Platte Canyon High School and a SWAT team relay run from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to Platte Canyon High School. Emily’s twin brother, Casey, plans to participate.
