April 25: Students spray paint a rock purple outside Jonathan Law High School in Milford, Conn.AP/New Haven Register
Maren Sanchez, 16, died after she was attacked in the hallway of Jonathan Law High School in Milford, Conn., authorities said.Photo courtesy via Twitter to FoxNews.com
A Connecticut community was shaken Friday after a high school student was fatally stabbed inside her school for reportedly rejecting a classmate’s invitation to the junior prom later that evening.
Maren Sanchez, the 16-year-old student at Jonathan Law High School Milford, was remembered as a standout student who had plenty of friends and an active member in after-school programs.
Fellow classmates and residents from surrounding areas packed First United Church of Christ and gathered on nearby Walnut Beach Friday night to remember the girl and offer support for each other.
"Even though we are in different parts of town, we're all connected"
- Valerie Pozdnyakova, a student at a nearby high school
"Even though we are in different parts of town, we're all connected," Valerie Pozdnyakova, a student at a nearby high school, told The New Haven Register. Pozdnyakova, like many students, was dressed in her prom attire to remember Sanchez, who had plans to go to the prom with her boyfriend.
Her classmates released purple balloons in her memory from the beach and painted a rock in front of her school with her date of birth on it in white.
A student at Jonathan Law High School in Milford and local media reports indicated that Sanchez was attacked because she refused to go to the prom with the attacker Friday night. Milford police would not confirm a motive.
Sanchez was a member of the National Honor Society and manager of the school's swim team who was heavily involved with community service, particularly causes like underage drinking and veterans' services, school officials said.
She was also a member of her school's drama club and had been practicing for her May 2 role as the large plant in a production of "Little Shop of Horrors."
Michael Mele, the drama director at the school, saw Sanchez Thursday night at rehearsals and recalled her excitement over the prom and having just had her nails done.
"She was talking about plans for a double-date and had such energy," he said, calling her the "epitome of a good student."
Mele said he felt numb after learning she had died and said he corralled students to support each other. Mele said he hopes that the play will go on in her honor and intends to hold another rehearsal on Monday night.
"If it's just all of us on stage crying at rehearsal, then that's what it's going to be," he said. "But the theater is a family and I want all of my students to console each other."
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