AUBURN - Nearly 300 people rounded the Hoopes Park pond with candles as a tribute to an Auburn High School student who died Sunday.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Mourners gather at Hoopes Park on Monday night for a candlelight vigil in memory of Auburn High School student Sarah E. Smith, who was killed in an automobile collision in Sennett on Sunday afternoon.
Mourners gather at Hoopes Park on Monday night for a candlelight vigil in memory of Auburn High School student Sarah E. Smith, who was killed in an automobile collision in Sennett on Sunday afternoon.
Friends arranged a candlelight vigil Monday evening for Sarah E. Smith, 16, who died after the car she was riding in collided with a Centro bus.
The majority of the crowd were students.
They remained quiet throughout the hour-long vigil, except for whispers and an occasional sob, muffled on the shoulder of a friend.
Even while reciting the Lord's Prayer, the crowd spoke softly.
People exchanged hugs, pats on the back and kisses on the cheek.
Smith, a junior, was motivated and driven while being humble about her abilities, said Andrea Fusco, who was Smith's journalism class teacher.
“She had a wonderful sense of humor,” Fusco said.
While some people in attendance didn't know her personally, her death affected them enough to stand in the cold for more than an hour.
Leah Petrosino said she was brought to tears by the thought of Smith dying so young.
“It's not fair,” she said, taking comfort in her friend's arms.
Brianne Moshaty didn't know Smith, but was saddened by both her death, and watching classmates and Smith's family grieve.
“I see myself in other people's positions,” said Moshaty, a sophomore. As part of the journalism program at the school, Smith contributed articles to The Citizen.
To help students, high school officials are allowing students to go to the library or guidance office if they feel they can't remain in class.
Officials met after school Monday to decide how to assist the students.
The Cayuga County Sheriff's Office is investigating the cause of Sunday's crash, but authorities expect to issue tickets after the investigation ends. However, authorities declined to say who is likely to get a ticket.
Kevin J. Bouley turned a Ford Escort into the path of a Centro bus while pulling out from Town Hall Road onto state Route 20 in Sennett at 2:15 p.m. Sunday.
The 16-year-old was released from University Hospital Monday.
The other passenger besides Smith, was Ashly M. Januszka, who remained in fair condition Monday at the Syracuse hospital.
Smith was transported to Auburn Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The bus driver, Dawn M. French, 51, went to AMH for minor injuries that day.
Four days earlier, another Auburn High School student was involved in a pedestrian/car crash.
Patrick Townsend remains in serious condition at University Hospital after a car struck him on Owasco Road near Third Avenue.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
The majority of the crowd were students.
They remained quiet throughout the hour-long vigil, except for whispers and an occasional sob, muffled on the shoulder of a friend.
Even while reciting the Lord's Prayer, the crowd spoke softly.
People exchanged hugs, pats on the back and kisses on the cheek.
Smith, a junior, was motivated and driven while being humble about her abilities, said Andrea Fusco, who was Smith's journalism class teacher.
“She had a wonderful sense of humor,” Fusco said.
While some people in attendance didn't know her personally, her death affected them enough to stand in the cold for more than an hour.
Leah Petrosino said she was brought to tears by the thought of Smith dying so young.
“It's not fair,” she said, taking comfort in her friend's arms.
Brianne Moshaty didn't know Smith, but was saddened by both her death, and watching classmates and Smith's family grieve.
“I see myself in other people's positions,” said Moshaty, a sophomore. As part of the journalism program at the school, Smith contributed articles to The Citizen.
To help students, high school officials are allowing students to go to the library or guidance office if they feel they can't remain in class.
Officials met after school Monday to decide how to assist the students.
The Cayuga County Sheriff's Office is investigating the cause of Sunday's crash, but authorities expect to issue tickets after the investigation ends. However, authorities declined to say who is likely to get a ticket.
Kevin J. Bouley turned a Ford Escort into the path of a Centro bus while pulling out from Town Hall Road onto state Route 20 in Sennett at 2:15 p.m. Sunday.
The 16-year-old was released from University Hospital Monday.
The other passenger besides Smith, was Ashly M. Januszka, who remained in fair condition Monday at the Syracuse hospital.
Smith was transported to Auburn Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The bus driver, Dawn M. French, 51, went to AMH for minor injuries that day.
Four days earlier, another Auburn High School student was involved in a pedestrian/car crash.
Patrick Townsend remains in serious condition at University Hospital after a car struck him on Owasco Road near Third Avenue.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
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