White candles in paper cups flickered in the wind on Sunday evening, clutched solemnly in the hands of about 100 former and current Lake View High School students as they stood in solemn silence on the school grounds.
Positioned in a semi-circle emanating out from the entry to the school’s weight room, the quiet murmur of memories passed between some of those in attendance, many relaying how they’d looked up to 20-year-old Aaron Allen, others expressing their torrid horror at the tragedy that took his life on Dec. 6.
“If there’s one thing I remember about Aaron, it’s that he always said ‘stay strong’,” one male friend broke the silence as they group huddled in a tight circle. “Now that’s what we’ve got to do.”
A former football player and powerlifter for Lake View High, “Double A” was known as a leader and inspiration among his friends and companions in the community. When he graduated in 2013, he and his former classmates remained in close contact; relationships his former athletic coach and close friend Ben Lyons likened to “an adoptive family”.
“There’s lots of former athletes, former students, current students, teachers, parents [here tonight],” Lyons said. “The kids are going to go over to each other’s houses all the time and become adoptive kids, if you want to call it that. The kids do a good job of taking care of each other.”
Lyons kept in touch with Allen even after he graduated in 2013, and recalled not only coaching the athlete but also developing a personal bond that continued when Allen began studying nursing at ASU.
“We talked about his major and where he was working and girls and just everything like that,” the coach described his friendship with Allen. “You get to develop relationships with kids and he became a good friend. I was blessed to have known him and blessed to have been around him.”
As the moments passed, friend after friend approached the inner ring of the circle to relay their fondest memories of Aaron Allen by candlelight. Several spoke softly and shared a few words, while others evoked laughter through the tears as they recalled tales of swimming and cruising around the small city.
“Strength” was the word underscored most at the vigil, some reiterating the strength Allen inspired in others, while still others leaned on and clung to friends nearby as their emotions overcame them.
“Aaron’s right here,” an elderly relative told the young crowd as he beat on his heart. “He’ll always be here. For all of y’all, keep him here. I’ve got a bunch of them here; I know what it’s like to go through this. Always remember what he said over there: Aaron was strong, he wants you to be strong, all of you keep strong for Lake View. Keep it in your hearts forever and remember it forever…keep loving and keep loving each other.”
The man’s words seemed to exacerbate the reality of Allen’s passing, evoking a wave of audible mourning as downturned candles dripped and strong-arm hugs overtook many in the crowd.
“I just want to say thank you,” A young woman, who identified herself as Allen’s cousin, spoke up next. “I know the impact he made on my life and now I see how many lives he touched.”
As the vigil continued, those gathered clasped their hands and bowed their heads in prayer, asking for God’s blessing upon Allen as he enters the Lord’s kingdom and the strength to go on without him.
“We’re going to do this all together,” another young man said. “Like I said, we’re a Lake View family and we’re going to do this all together.”
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