Bright orange balloons were released into the sky Thursday evening as part of a ceremony the Orangeburg Boys & Girls Club held in memory of Kasandra Renee Johnson, the 11-year-old who died in a single-vehicle wreck on May 1 on her way to school. Orange was Kasandra’s favorite color.

Songs, poems and presentations celebrated the little girl’s short life during the program at the club on Cannon Bridge Road. The Edisto Elementary student lost her life in the accident, which also seriously injured her brothers, Frederick and Erin Johnson.

They are the children of Melvin and Cheryl Frazier, who were in attendance at Thursday’s ceremony.

Orangeburg County Councilman Clyde Livingston and Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 Trustee the Rev. Nathaniel McMillan were among the officials who spoke during the ceremony, which was also attended by teachers and students from Edisto Elementary and other officials from Orangeburg Consolidated School District 4.

The family was presented two plaques and two flowers, along with an Orangeburg Boys & Girls Club T-shirt signed by all the members. A giant Leyland Cypress tree was also planted in Kasandra’s memory, with the evergreen representing the fact that the smiling, loving child would always be with the club and its members in spirit.

Cheryl Frazier said she was overwhelmed by all the support shown to her family on Thursday. She said she appreciated all of the love the family has received.

“It meant a lot. I didn’t know my baby knew this many people, I really didn’t. She will be greatly missed by her friends, especially me and her brothers and family. I loved my little baby. She’s all right,” said Frazier, noting that her daughter’s smiling face would always be remembered.

Pearl Rickenbacker, Kasandra’s great aunt, said the program was a “very nice” tribute to Kasandra.

“She was a very nice person. I am her aunt, but she was taking me as her mother. God bless her. I love her,” Rickenbacker said.

Brianna Owens, a 9-year-old classmate of Kasandra’s who also participated in the Boys & Girls Club with her, said she will always remember her friend’s love.

“She used to joke around. She loved to play sports. She was always nice to people, and she loved to help people out,” Owens said.

Thomas Eklund, executive director of the Orangeburg Boys & Girls Club, said Kasandra was a “sweet little girl” who he remembered as always being protective of her little brother, Erin.

“She was loved by all. She will be remembered by all of our staff and children,” Eklund said.

OCSD4 Board Chairman Aaron Rudd said the program was a “wonderful” tribute to Kasandra.

“Our prayers are with the family,” he said, noting that one of his goals is to work to make sure Kasandra’s older brother, Frederick, gets “across the graduation stage for his diploma.”

Dr. Robert Johnson, a member of the Orangeburg Boys & Girls Club Board, is also a guidance counselor at Edisto High School. He said the support the family has received is crucial to their recovery during this sad time in their lives.

“That’s what we are here for. When children and adults are going through things, we are here to help facilitate and get them through the process. We believe that all boys and girls (who) participate in our clubs are family. This ceremony was very special being that Kasandra was so young and full of energy. It was a tragedy,” Johnson said.

“We here at the Boys & Girls Club feel a deep sense of loss, and we wanted to do something very special for Kasandra and her family so that she will always be remembered and celebrated as a precious gem,” he said.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5534.

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