On Friday, May 2, during lunch, Archie Williams held a Remembrance Event in response to the recent car accident that impacted the school community, honoring the students lost. The event marked a significant moment in the school’s ongoing efforts to recognize and remember victims of the tragic accident, and offered a space for collective mourning and reflection for Archie Williams. Students and staff members shared speeches and poetry, and a student duet performed music.

Just two weeks earlier, the Archie Williams community was devastated by the news that six students—Olive Koren, Josalynn Osborn, Sienna Katz, Ada Kepley, Elsa Laremont-Stranczek, and Marley Barclay—had been involved in a car crash, leaving four tragically dead and two in critical condition. In response, the administration has made efforts to honor the six students, with this marking the first event held during school hours. To accommodate the event, Archie Williams administration extended the lunch period from its typical 40 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes, and offered burritos and desserts donated from local businesses.

To begin the event, Archie Williams Principal Jacob Gran made a speech honoring the victims of the tragedy, recognizing that “each of these girls brought light to this campus in their own unique way,” and that “their absence is felt in every hallway, every classroom, every moment we’ve shared these last two weeks.” The memorial service included a performance from senior guitarist Elijah Galland and sophomore vocalist Petra Betti of “Blackbird” by The Beatles and “The Age of Worry” by YEBBA. Petra believes the song to be a great tribute to the girls and their memory.

“I went to Olive’s memorial because we went to Hebrew school together, and I just know that she’s a big Beatles fan. [Elijah and I] both knew [“Blackbird”], and we figured it [would be] fitting,” Petra said.

Mario Aparicio and LoRayne Ortega, both teachers for the Archie Williams Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, recited a short poem titled “Sanctum” by Beulah B. Malkin. This was then followed by a recitation of “Think of Me” by Emilie Lauren Jones from current Associated Student Body (ASB) president Caroline Lozaw and ASB president-elect Alia Torres Cardenas.

“We decided on a poem that felt right for the moment,” Alia said. “As leadership, we took on that role and decided to give the speech to the student body. I didn’t have a personal connection to any of them, but they are at the school, and I love the school, and I wanted to care for people at the school.”

In times of tragedy, writing and creativity can be powerful ways to process grief and begin healing. Senior Peer Resource (PR) member Samantha Winslow appreciated the poems that students and staff shared.

“I thought the poems that were shared were really beautiful. [They showed that] the love and brightness the girls brought to the school is never going to end,” Samantha said.

PR played a key role in organizing the Remembrance Event, particularly the interactive and reflective spaces near the stage, which included an art table, craft cart, and memory books for the girls.

“As a member of PR, I worked on setting up all the art stuff. We [provided] rock painting, clay, books that people can write messages into for the families, and blankets,” Samantha said.

Junior Tal Dahan, who attended the memorial, found the event to be moving and meaningful.

“[The memorial] was really nicely put together, and was heartfelt. It was very thoughtful of the students and the families involved,” Tal said.

After Elijah and Petra performed “The Age of Worry,” Gran returned to the microphone to guide attendees to a moment of silence, concluding the memorial. Through music, poetry, and moments of reflection, the Archie Williams community came together to honor the lives of the students who are no longer among them.

This story was originally published on The Pitch on May 3, 2025.