Rosemont Students Honor Slain Classmate
ROSEMONT (CBS13) – Three days after a 13-year-old girl was killed, her classmates honoring her on Friday.
Many students at Albert Einstein Middle School in Rosemont wore the favorite colors of slain classmate Jessica Funk-Haslam on what they called "A Day To Remember Jessica."
Jessica's body was found in the dugout of nearby Rosemont Community Park on Tuesday. The coroner's office said she beaten, stabbed and strangled.
Friday, students chose to reflect on better memories of their former classmate.
"We're representing her and her colors. It means that we miss her," said Savanah Smith, a classmate of Jessica's. "She was a nice person and she was really funny and outgoing. And she didn't deserve this."
Dozens of students wore pink. Other donned a special ribbon in Jessica's honor. School officials ordered the flags on campus to be flown at half-staff.
During one of the planned events at school, students filled a time capsule with some of Jessica's favorite things and letters to her.
Counselors remained on campus, assisting in Friday's activities and offering help to anyone in need.
"It's a fine line between providing someone the support that they need in these tough times and also bringing some normalcy to the school environment," said Gabe Ross of the Sacramento City Unified School District.
A memorial at nearby Rosemont Community Park where Jessica's body was found early Tuesday morning continues to grow. And each day, especially on Jessica's Day, the healing process gets a little easier.
"Everybody at the school's coming together as a great big family," one student said.
"If you look at them they're all starting to smile a little bit more right now. They're coming together," said Tracy Welch, whose daughter attend Einstein.
Jessica's father, Allen Porter was appreciative of the students.
"I just want to thank everybody and all the support we've been getting," he said.
Investigators have not made any arrests in Jessica's murder and are asking for the community's help. Her father said they've confiscated his computer that she used at his house and her cell phone, hoping for clues into her killer.
