“My best friend from elementary school has and always will be the most important person in my life, her name was Ashlyne Thurber. We became friends sometime in the first grade and soon after found out we were neighbors. She was the type of person you can just feel the good radiating off her from every molecule of her being. The most pure, innocent, and funny person I've ever been around. Before 5th grade started we found out she had a rare bone cancer. She beat the cancer but sadly a few days before her birthday she passed away because the chemo was just too harsh on her body. I think this was the first time I questioned what was life, the first time I felt true gut wrenching grief, and when I stopped believing in God. How could someone so amazing and innocent be taken away in such a painful way? She shaped me into who I am for better or for worse. I'm forever grateful for my brief yet beautiful and wonderful time with her.”

• Haley Kenyon