Family, friends remember Adrianne
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By Thomas Geyer | Monday, January 22, 2007 |
Not a day goes by that Adrianne Reynolds’ family does not think about the 16-year-old girl who was murdered and dismembered by classmates exactly two years ago today.
But instead of turning those thoughts to vengeance and letting anger take hold, Reynolds’ uncle, Mike McCollum of East Moline, said the family instead reaches out to teens and other troubled people through the Adrianne Leigh Reynolds, or ALR, Memorial Fund to spread the message that love is the answer. And that hatred and the violence it promotes and the pain it causes must be ended.
Speaking to a crowd of more than 50 people who gathered Saturday night for a prayer vigil for Adrianne at Christian Friendliness Center in Moline, McCollum spoke of how his niece, a Texas transplant, spoke of wanting to join the Marines, of wanting to sing on “American Idol,” and of becoming a fashion designer. She was working toward obtaining her GED, or general equivalency diploma, at the Black Hawk Outreach Center, East Moline, when she was killed.
“Adrianne had dreams,” he said. “She was robbed of her dreams. And we were robbed of being able to watch her fulfill her dreams.
“Hate and anger have taken too many innocent lives,” McCollum said. “We can put an end to hate. All you need is love, and it starts with each one of us.”
Adrianne went missing in January 2005. Her dismembered and burned remains were found five days later at Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island, and a farm outside Millersburg, Ill., in rural Mercer County.
Sarah Kolb, now 18, of Milan, Ill., was convicted of first-degree murder after two trials. She was sentenced to 48 years in prison for murder and five years for concealing the teen’s death. Cory Gregory, now 19, of Moline, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and concealing a homicide. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison for murder and five years for concealing the killing.
Nathan Gaudet, now 18, of Moline, was charged and later pleaded guilty to helping conceal the homicide.
Among the speakers at the event was Jaime Flores, 32, of Milwaukee. A football coach with a 6-year-old son, he was watching TV one day when the “Dateline NBC” show about Adrianne’s death aired.
Flores lost a cousin to violence on Thanksgiving morning 2004. The 19-year-old was shot to death. Seeing Adrianne’s story, he began crying and wondering how he could keep his son from causing so much pain.
“I was horrified at what kids are capable of doing,” he said. So he got involved in the Reynolds Memorial Fund. And because of that, he said they have been able to help 19 at- risk young women in Milwaukee get their lives turned around in the right direction.
“These violent acts have a ripple effect that rips through everyone around them, and just leaves pain and destruction in their wake,” he said.
Kathryn Power, 10, of New Lenox, Ill., who is Adrianne’s cousin, said she is taking a stand against violence.
“By choosing to be a nice and good person, you are making a positive difference,” she said. “Those on the wrong road have a chance to change.”
But everyone needs to take responsibility for their actions, she added. That starts with choosing not to hate.
Adrianne’s father, Tony Reynolds, of East Moline, wrote yet another poem to his adopted daughter who was ripped from him and his wife, Joann.
“Roses are red, violets are blue; life hasn’t been easy without you,” he started through tears. Remembering the nickname he gave her, “Little Bit,” he spoke of her violent death, and closed with “I love you. We’ll be together again, someday.”
And he has a message for teens currently on the wrong road.
“If you need any help, come see me. I can show you stuff that will change your mind.” And to parents: “Know where your children are and who they’re with.”
Joann Reynolds said the last two years have been hell, and each new murder they hear about just takes them back to Adrianne’s death.
“You never know when the last time will be that you’ll see a loved one,” she said. So everyone should let their friends and family know they are loved.
The vigil ended with those in attendance holding glow sticks as “Amazing Grace,” Adrianne’s favorite hymn, played.
Mark Drake, executive director of Christian Friendliness — the Moline-based Christian organization that reaches out to young people — said in Adrianne’s case, evil won one battle; but it won’t win them all. “Good will always come out on top,” he said.
Thomas Geyer can be contacted at (563) 383-2328 or tgeyer@qctimes.com.
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