School honors life and memory of Sammy Reagan

KINGS MILLS, Ohio - Sammy Reagan’s mother and father provided comfort to their daughter’s former classmates and brothers, Jack and Brian Thursday during a special Valentine’s Day event at Columbia Elementary in Kings Mills. The event at Sammy's former school was held to remember the little 12-year-old girl who was described by her parents as a “bright light.”

Sammy died Jan. 21 as a result of injuries she sustained during a pileup on a stretch of Interstate 275 that involved more than 100 cars and trucks.

"She just loved life and everyone remembers her smile. Her legacy is to treat everybody as they would want to be treated, said Jill Reagan, Sammy Reagan's mother. "And to always smile because there is always something to smile about."

To help keep her lighthearted way alive, each of the more than 600 students let a balloon into the air that had a message that read “In loving memory of Sammy Reagan.” As part of the healing process, each person in attendance wrote a personalized note to Sammy on the other side of the card.

As all the balloons were let loose into the blue sky at the same time, Jill Reagan said she thought the ceremony was a special way to remember her daughter but also a way to say hello.

"That everybody is saying 'hi' on Valentine's Day and I wish she could be here,” said Jill Reagan. “But I know she can see what is going on and I know she is smiling down. I know she's smiling down on us and just looking at everybody and just in awe."

Anyone who finds a balloon is asked to email a special note to the family. The email address is on the attached note.