Their time at Oxford High School, not to mention on this earth, was certainly short, but the impact three young ladies made on the staff and students who knew them will be cherished for a lifetime.
‘They were a great bunch of girls ? always full of life, never gave up and always encouraging everyone,? said OHS freshman Nicole Allen. ‘I will always remember how every time one of them walked in a room, everything lit up and was more positive.?
A dark cloud of tragedy and grief hung over the high school Monday, Jan. 11 as it was announced that twin sisters Brianna and Sy’mone Johnson and their friend, Ashley Felder, were killed in a car crash in Orion Township earlier that day (see story on page 2).
All three were 14-year-old freshmen, who lived in Pontiac, but began attending OHS in the fall through the Schools of Choice program. They were on their way to school when their car crashed.
‘I keep wondering to myself, ‘why them?? said OHS senior Emily Collins. ‘They were amazing people who did not deserve anything bad to happen to them. I know all of you who ever met any of these girls are thankful you got the chance.?
Sy’mone and Ashley were beloved members of the junior varsity cheerleading squad.
‘When we sat (Monday) to talk about what had taken place, my girls had such fond memories that through the tears we were able to laugh,? said JV Cheer Coach Jennie Eller.
Eller described Ashley as someone who ‘brought joy and laughter to our team.?
‘Her laugh was just contagious,? she said. ‘When there were tense situations, she would laugh and everybody would follow suit. We’d release that tension.?
OHS cheerleader Chelsea Fritche agreed.
‘I will always remember the way Ashley would laugh about any little thing and it would put the whole cheer team in a better mood,? she said.
Sy’mone was described by Eller as a ‘quiet spirit? with a ‘tender heart.?
‘She was just one of those kids that you knew was full of love,? said the coach,
Sy’mone was like a ‘little sponge? that could soak up all the love you gave her and give it right back, Eller noted.
Brianna wasn’t a part of the cheer team, but she attended practice everyday with the Sy’mone and Ashley because they all rode to and from school together.
‘I got to know her quite well while she waited,? Eller said. ‘She would watch us everyday and she too had that sweet spirit. She looked very serious when she would watch us, but when she would smile, her whole face would light up. You couldn’t help but smile back at the kid.?
Eller often told Brianna that she wanted her to try out for the team next season. ‘I think she would have been a great asset for us,? she said.
All three girls had a strong faith in God and they shared that with the team, which Eller said is a great comfort, to know they believed in Heaven and are there now.
Sy’mone and Ashley’s fellow cheerleaders had nothing but positive things to say about them.
‘Our team would not be (what it is) today without them,? said JV cheerleader Kelsey Cronk. ‘Ashley was always in a great mood . . . . Sy’mone was a hard worker in practice. Both girls were always trying to (create) a good atmosphere for the team to work in.?
‘Ashley and Sy’mone always tried their hardest at cheer practice and they were really dedicated to cheerleading,? said varsity cheerleader Baillie Terrian, a sophomore at OHS. ‘All the girls were so sweet and innocent. They could get along with anyone and were always there for you when you needed to talk. I will miss Ashley’s honesty, hugs and compliments the most.?
‘Sy’mone and Ashley were a major part of the cheer team and always will be,? said JV team captain Lindsay Noskey. ‘Sy’mone was so funny. She always smiled no matter what. . . Ashley was the happiest person I have ever met. She had the biggest heart and it was gold. She was like the mother of the team and we couldn’t have pulled it together without her . . . She made us a big family. If there was drama, she would fix it.?
Ironically, one of the happiest moments of the girls? young lives came right before their deaths. The JV cheer team took second place at the Oxford Invitational held Saturday, Jan. 9.
‘Ashley and Sy’mone were so proud of the trophy,? Noskey said. ‘Everybody was freaking out because we were so nervous for our competition. (Ashley) calmed everybody down and told us we would make it through.?
Noskey liked the fact that Ashley wasn’t afraid to tell it like it is.
‘She had no problem telling people how she felt. She would (say) it as nice as possible, but she would tell you.?
‘I am really honored to have been on the team with Sy’mone and Ashley,? Noskey noted. ‘They were such good cheerleaders, teammates, people, and most of all, they were amazing friends to have. They will never leave our hearts.?
Even those who weren’t close to the girls were touched by them.
‘These girls truly were young at heart and just great to be around,? said OHS junior Kayla Pollard, who met the trio while serving as a mentor to them during an Adventure Club trip. ‘I remember teaching them camp songs and making s’mores with them the last night at camp. They were all great girls.?
Teachers also took notice of the teens.
‘All three girls were very nice,? said OHS physics teacher David Carson. ‘Ashley was an intelligent girl with a lot of energy. The twins were very quiet in class, but I got to see their true personalities after school and on the Adventure Club trip. The girls were very likeable and I’m sure would have ended up being successful at Oxford if they were given the time.?
‘Although I didn’t know Brianna for very long, she will be greatly missed,? said OHS Spanish teacher Amie Stevens. ‘Brianna was a sweet, shy girl with a beautiful smile that could light up a room.?
No funeral arrangements have been made yet, but when they become available, they will be posted at www.oxfordschools.org.