Hundreds of classmates, teachers and others lined the long driveway at Highland Elementary School on Tuesday, offering a final tribute to 10-year-old Issac Sterett, who died recently in a vehicle accident.
As the funeral procession slowly made its way through the crowd, the Sterett family was greeted with waves, smiles and tears from those expressing their condolences. Onlookers spaced out across the area released balloons as the procession exited the campus.
Though there was an inevitable sadness felt by many who attended, HES Principal Leslie Peveler said the event was not focused on mourning, but on celebrating the happy, well-lived life of Sterett.
In holding the event at Highland, where Sterett had just completed his 4th- grade year, Peveler said showing the family their support was the most important thing.
“He was a great, very positive kid,” Peveler said. “Isaac was a friend to everybody, and he lived his life to the fullest.”
It had been important to Isaac’s family that his life be celebrated, Peveler said, and that sentiment was made clear in the form of homemade signs, balloons and American flags held by those who stood in support of the family.
“In his short 10 years, he impacted so many kids, and so many of our staff, along the way,” Peveler said. “He was one of those special souls.”
