The shock of Maren Sanchez’s murder is still very much in the air in Milford. But grief is starting to settle in its place.
“I’ve cried almost every single day since her passing. This has been so hard on everybody,” said Jack Shuckerow, Maren’s friend and classmate.
About 2,000 people fought tears with smiles as they remembered the student-athlete at a vigil on Jonathan Law High School’s football field on Monday night.
They listened to prayers, songs and psalms for the 16-year-old stabbed to death in her school hallways on Friday. Students say the vigil was helpful.
“Just to see how she brought everybody together. Not a lot of people know her like that, but we knew of her. This is amazing. She is a beautiful, genuine and loving girl,” said Kasedi Xavier, a junior at Jonathan Law.
The students return to classes Tuesday, in the very halls where their peer was attacked.
“Probably a little upsetting because she’s not there. It’s just heartbreaking,” said Shuckerow.
But speaker after speaker at the vigil had a similar messages to get through this difficult time: live like Maren.
“We will never forget the impact she had on our lives, and we are all far better people for knowing her,” said a student representing the junior class.
As the vigil concluded, an old performance by Maren herself had some comforting words: “Just know you’re not alone,” lyrics from the song “Home” by Philip Phillips.
Students said they’ll remember Maren again when they crown her prom queen.
Junior prom was scheduled for the night of Maren’s death. Administrators postponed it until further notice.