Clarke County

Vigils honor UGA students as honorable women, already missed by community

ATHENS, Ga. — Remembrances were held across the metro Thursday night to honor four University of Georgia students killed in a serious car wreck late Wednesday night. One other remains in critical condition.

Brittany Feldman, 20, Halle Scott, 19, Kayla Canedo, 19, and Christina Semeria, 19, died Wednesday night when the car they were riding in crossed the center line and crashed into another car.

Police say alcohol was not a contributing factor in the crash. The Georgia State Patrol said all of the victims except Semeria were wearing seat belts.

READ: Hundreds gather at emotional vigil for UGA students killed in crash

The girls were all from metro Atlanta. Three of them graduated from Milton High School and the other from Dunwoody High School.

A vigil was held at Milton High School Thursday evening.

Channel 2’s Nicole Carr said the vigil was essentially a worship service, with one of the most powerful moments coming when Semeria's family asked the crowd to hold onto their faith.

“I don't know why the worst things happen to the best people. I don't know the reason for this," one student told Carr, not identifying herself.

Carr said at times there were no words. No understanding. But then there was reassurance that the young women's lives would not be forgotten in vain.

“I can promise you that I will live for you Kayla. You were the most beautiful soul that I'd ever met. Your smile can light up a room and your joyful personality can change anyone's day,” another student said.

Candles lit up the entrance of Milton High School.

"These girls loved each other that were all in that car last night, but they are all with Jesus. I am sure of it," said Cathy Semeria, Christina’s mother.

For the Semeria's family, the vigil was a chance to say thank you

“Today is a total blur. I don't even know how I am standing, but I know God has surrounded our family with an army of angels all day long," Cathy Semeria said.

For many, it was a chance to say it's OK to weep.

"They were great godly girls. It was an accident, and I just need you to know that God will never leave us in all of this. You need to know that. She would want you to know that. He is faithful," Cathy Semeria said.

Mourners also asked the community to pray and get ready to support the two survivors of this fatal crash, Abby Short, 27, the driver of the other car involved, and UGA student Agnes Kim, 21, who remains hospitalized at Athens Regional Medical Center.

Earlier in the day, more than 1,000 students gathered for another vigil on the UGA campus.

"This really hurts, but y'all are making it a whole lot better," Scott’s brother Will told the mourners who showed up to honor his sister and the others killed.

He asked for prayers for everyone involved.

"My family, Christina's family and all the other girls' families in your prayers and especially Agnes because I can't imagine what it's going to be like to wake up from that and hear what happened," Will Scott said.

Nick Semeria spoke at the vigil as well and said his sister had a deep faith in God.

"She loved the Lord with all her heart, and now she's up there with him. She loved to sing, as the girls know, and I swear she is leading the choir up there right now," Nick Semeria said.

Channel 2’s Rikki Klaus was at the vigil where she said victims' classmates did a lot of hugging, crying and reflecting.

There was praise for the young women, their personalities and their hearts.

Luminaries lined the roadway at the Lodge of Athens, an apartment complex for students. Management there organized a memorial for residents.

Among those attending the vigil was Sadia Hasan, a social worker at Athens Regional Hospital where the fourth victim passed away Wednesday evening.

"I wasn't there, but I was with the staff that was there, and none of them could talk about it today," Hasan.

Hasan said the crash is a reminder to everyone that life is precious and we all should be kind to one another.

"Live it as if it's your last. That would be my message to everybody because you never know. We're not promised tomorrow," Hasan said.