Shamarra never changed. She was everybody s friend. And after her death, the tight-knit group she had in seventh grade reunited to mourn her. I guess it was like a wake-up call. Now, many of her friends will graduate in Perry s honor this June.
Seniors have a personal pledge, as a group, to pass.
They want to do it because of Shamarra. The mourning process is far from over, says her mother, but Perry s death has changed her perspective on things. It s brought the family closer together. I feel a warmness. But it has brought us closer together.