The symbolism continues as you walk through the memorial. Highly deconstructed barn frames will make up part of the canopy, representing those precious lives we lost too soon that night. The youngest victim taken at only 17 years old, was Tyler Smith who was out looking at cars with his father, Rich. Tyler loved to play soccer and Rich was his #1 fan. The memorial soccer center will be built in honor of their love of the sport. Tyler was known as being a friend to everyone, particularly those who often felt left out. In addition to playing soccer, he was self-motivated to staying strong through weight training and loved to help others to achieve their best. His hope was to help motivate others - that at least one person would tell him "...because of you, I did not give up." 

There is actually a ninth victim, Alexis Cornish, who had to watch from the back seat of the car and unfortunately witness the violence that took her boyfriend, Tyler Smith, and his father, Richard Smith’s lives that night.  An oculus represents Alexis’s view. As she witnessed, she had to wait until she thought it was safe, get out of the car to get Tyler’s cell phone and call 9-1-1. Her footsteps go around counterclockwise to represent her recounting the horrific acts to the police that night and slightly touch Tyler’s panel because she was his girlfriend.

For each victim, there will be a remembrance panel, 23-foot-high and made of concrete to represent our community’s blue collar/agricultural background. In addition to having the victim’s name on the panel, their family members will be able to personalize the panels to speak to and celebrate who each loved one was. Richard Smith and his son, Tyler, were spending time doing something they loved to do - look at cars together. Rich was known by many for his quick wit and unwavering friendship, but he always put his family first - he was their rock.

Judy was sharing a girls’ night out – dinner and a show – with three of her close friends and a sweet young lady. A selfless, humble friend to everyone, Judy also had a love for animals. A significant feature of each victim’s concrete remembrance panel is that as they are curing, the families can make impressions of their loved ones’ favorite things – such as paw prints, written notes, sports, tire tracks, footprints and handprints of children, grandchildren, etc. It will also be possible to hide small objects or notes within the panels – not visible to the public; only family members will know they are there.

Barn wall fragments will appear down the left side of the axis of remembrance signifying the outside force that happened which shattered hearts and shocked our families. Amidst tragedy, our communities showed unwavering strength. Mary L. Nye and her close friends share a legacy of being an integral part of their community; known for being in service to others, supporting each other, and sharing a lot of laughter and kindness with everyone around them. 

Perhaps those remembering Mary Jo Nye will have particular appreciation for the benches made of barn wood that will be placed throughout the memorial. Giving them opportunity to sit and read a favorite book amongst beautiful trees and nature in honor of this dear English teacher’s life’s work.

As you continue down the remembrance axis, you’ll see something a little different. Barbara Hawthorne’s panel will be slanted out to give it a protective stance over Abigail Kopf’s panel so you won’t have a line of sight to Abbie’s panel. This is meant to interpret what actually happened that night. Barbara, known to Abigail as Grandma Barb, heroically protected the teen by pushing her down on the floor of the vehicle and putting herself in harm’s way to shield Abbie.

Fourteen-year-old Abigail Kopf miraculously survived. Although she and Tiana are continuing to heal physically and emotionally, they will never be the same. Their barn frames, while more whole than those who lost their lives that night, will appear weathered to represent that although their journey continues, they will always struggle.

Abbie had a favorite pet pig named Hamlet. Tucked into a notch on Abbie’s panel will be a statue of Hamlet, representing the close bond they had with one another. Children visiting the memorial can take a picture with Hamlet and have fun playing near it to honor the love Abbie and Hamlet shared.

Tiana Carruthers miraculously survived after putting herself between several children, including her own daughter, and the terrifying harm they all faced on their way to a playground that evening. As a poetic nod to Tiana’s selfless, heroic protection of those children, a playground will be nestled within the trees and triangular shadow of her panel. The light noise of children playing there symbolizes celebration of life.

At the end of the axis of remembrance, at what is referred to as the westerly terminus, there will be a crystalline building. A barn-like building that is transparent with light gleaming from it's windows to symbolize celebration of life. This building is intended to be a multi-purpose building for events such as family reunions, town hall meetings, birthday parties, weddings, or other gatherings. In the wall at the end of this building, there will be square portholes. These holes are intended to draw visitors' attention so they will peer through them and see items for each of the victims that are representative of their favorite things. For example, a pair of Tyler Smith’s cleats could be displayed representing his love of soccer.