The Renton community remembered Jessica Scholl on Sunday as an aspiring designer with an eye for color and a passion for theatre, for her comforting yet unforgiving personality, and everlasting smile.
More than 750 family, friends, teachers and classmates nearly filled the auditorium, in addition to members of the Renton Fire and Emergency Services, Renton Police Department, and community members who never met "Jess," as she was known by friends, but who wanted to make sense of the local tragedy of a life cut too short.
"The Lindbergh Eagles. Go eagles go," Rev. Allan Folmar said as he began the service.
"We are here to celebrate the life of a eagle. Sadly, this eagle has already ascended, as your school motto says, "Ad Astra; to the stars," he said. "The Lindbergh High School Alma Mater begins with, 'Lindbergh Eagles, which fly so free, our victory ? will ring so loud so others know we're proud. As days pass, we will remember,' and then it goes on a little bit more. Those words are all correct. We will find the strength to endure, and we will remember Jessica Scholl: daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, cousin, niece and friend."
Whitney Davis and Haley Barnes, close friends of Jessica, shared stories of their friendship and how their bonds grew so deep that the girls considered each other sisters.
Although Barnes eventually moved to Texas and Davis to West Virginia, the three remained inseprably close.
"We kept in contact. When Haley and I, or her, needed her. We were all just a text or a phone call away," Davis said. "Jess was the highlight to everybody's day."
"Jessica, I love you so much, you will always be my beautiful little sister."
Barnes the "little sister in the group," shared how Jessica traveled to Texas to help decorate her new room and accompany her to school orientation.
"Jess has been there for me through so much, and I am really going to miss my big sister. A special thanks to my other parents," she said, turning to face Douglas and Stephanie Scholl, the parents of Jessica, an only child. "I love you all, and you will always have me as a daughter."
Jessica dreamt of having not one, but two children, said Lindbergh teacher Kara Crum, who had Jessica in two of her classes: independent living and child development.
Paul Harvey, Jessica's uncle, shared his memories of the teen's transform from a shy young girl who hit behind her bangs to a mature and confident teen with an uncontrollable smile and ability to connect with her peers as well as adults and younger children.
"She was proud to be a student here a Lindbergh High School, she loved art, and she loved to write. She preferred reading plays over books. At one time she took choir class and she loved drama. She was excited about the prospect of joining the school newspaper next year," he said. "After she graduated, she wanted to go to the Art Institute of Seattle and pursue a career in design."
Following the ceremony, attendees gathered in the cafeteria for an open mike celebration of Jessica's life.
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Just over a week after 17-year-old , more than 750 family, friends, teachers, fire, police and community members joined together for her .
Check back for more about the service on Patch. We'll have more photos, audio and details from the event posted soon.
Please share your favorite memories of Jessica, or your thoughts about the memorial service in the comment section below. Or write a letter to the editor: jenny.manning@patch.com.
