Carli Sears, a junior and member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Jan. 17, 2016 in West Virginia.
Alpha Omicron Pi hosted a memorial Wednesday at the Oxford Conference Center, where nearly 600 individuals gathered to celebrate the life of Sears on what would have been her 21 birthday.
A memorial display including artwork and pictures to honor Carli Sears at the candlelight vigil Wednesday night. (Photo by: Aleea Burge)
As loved ones entered the memorial, they were encouraged to sign their names on red, white, and blue t-shirts, which were placed alongside vases of flowers, including roses, and canvases illustrating the Bible verses Hebrews 13:2 and Matthew 5:16.
The service opened with a prayer from Pinelake Church pastor Jonathan Palmer and continued with congregational hymns and a slideshow showcasing memories with Sears.
Palmer spoke of the joy and light which Sears brought to others around her.
“We can be well with our soul because we know where Carli is,” Palmer said. “This is a celebration of her life. She was full of life and goodness, and is in the presence of God right now.”
Palmer encouraged individuals to process how they were affected by Sears.
The floor was open to friends or family to tell how Sears affected their life. Many delivered funny stories, touching anecdotes and loving memories.
Attendees of memorial hold hands in prayer for Carli Sears. (Photo by: Aleea Burge)
“I’ve racked my memory for the past week trying to remember the first moment I ever met Carli, but I still haven’t remembered, it just feels like I blinked and all of a sudden she was an incredibly vibrant presence in my sister Beth and I’s lives,” said Mary Margaret Bracken, an exercise science major and close friend. “It just feels like she’s always been there, in memories, in classes, always laughing and smiling.”
Bracken reflected on Sears’ love for life.
“She is the definition of relational, just loving us and sharing her love for life and laughter with everyone she met. Carli lived life fully and authentically, as only the most brave of us could, and she will be missed immensely,” Bracken said. “Though physically, I can’t hug or laugh with her any longer, Carli left this world a better place than when she found it, and our lives are all a little brighter for having the privilege of knowing her.”
Allison Fazio said she was amazed by the love Sears received at the memorial.
“Just looking at this crowd says so much about the impact she had,” Fazio said.
“It’s comforting to see how many people’s lives she affected. I met Carli my Freshman year through my roommate, Beth Bracken, and since that day we considered her our honorary third roommate. I’ve never met a person so positive and happy-go-lucky in my whole life, and I am so glad that I got to call her a close friend of mine.”
Alpha Omicron Pi will offer a scholarship in addition to the Carli Sears Memorial Bowling Tournament.
