Pace High School students pay tribute to Haleigh Collier, teen killed in ATV crash

It was an average Thursday morning for children and staff around Santa Rosa County's many schools, but for students and staff at Pace High School, it was a bittersweet morning as they celebrated the life of fellow student Haleigh Collier.

Hundreds of students exited their buses and cars and met just outside of the front office near the school's flagpole, most donning the 17-year-old's signature style of orange clothing, cowboy boots or bright red lipstick, as they began a memorial service in Collier's honor after her fatal ATV accident Nov. 5.

Collier was having fun over a normal weekend driving an ATV with a 16-year-old and 11-year-old down Little Creek Way in Pace when she lost control of the ATV and hit a tree, killing her and hospitalizing the other two girls with "serious" injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Before her death, the high school junior was planning to attend the University of Central Florida and had aspirations of a military career. She could also be spotted serving meals at the Waffle House on Woodbine Road as she worked her way through high school.

The memorial service included the creation of a special rock garden, principal Stephen Shell told the News Journal. While a playlist filled exclusively with Ed Sheeran songs (Collier's favorite musical artist) boomed out of the speakers, everyone in attendance participated in a student-led rock painting where the stones will then be turned into the rock garden memorial, forever enshrining the caring and loving student in Pace High School's memory.

"We all love Haleigh. That's why we're here," Shell said. "She always had a smile on her face and wanted everyone to live their life to the fullest."

Fellow student and classmate in Collier's leadership class Sophia Odum stood before the student body at the memorial and recounted the kindness and service Collier embodied during her time attending the school.

"She's one of those students you never forget," Odum said. "She would do anything for anybody."

While students and staff were painting the rocks for the soon-to-be rock garden, Shell called Collier's family to the center of the gathering and held a moment of silence with them. After the moment of silence, the principal provided the family with an envelope containing the proceeds of the school's fundraiser held just days prior.

Pace High School's one-minute fundraiser was able to provide the Collier family with $1,575, according to Santa Rosa County District Schools.

"Our family is so grateful that Mr. Shell (and the students) put this on for Haleigh," Collier's older brother Bear Comer told the News Journal. "It means the world to (my parents) and we can't thank Mr. Shell and the faculty and staff more."

Comer, who is one of Collier's 12 siblings, also told the News Journal that the other girls on the ATV during the incident are "doing fine" and recovering from their injuries, but they are going to "have a long road ahead."

Haleigh Collier's accident: Pace girl killed, 2 more children injured in ATV vs. tree crash

"With the help of the community, they're getting the support they'll need for a long time," Comer said. "This student body is amazing. Everyone coming out speaks highly of who Haleigh was."

Anyone wishing to send flowers or gifts to the family can find Collier's obituary at lewisfuneralhomes.net, and you can plant a tree in Collier's honor.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Haleigh Collier remembered at Pace High School memorial service