For most people, April means springtime, sunshine and the earth reborn in colorful flowers. But for those who lost a loved one in the April 16, 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech, it’s also another reminder of that tragedy.
Centreville’s Celeste and Grafton Peterson are in the latter category because their only child, Erin, a 2006 Westfield High grad, was one of the 32 who died that day. And each April, they celebrate her life and legacy with a Gospel program at Mount Olive Baptist Church.
To continue their daughter’s dedication to education and to helping the less fortunate, they established the Erin Peterson Fund in May 2007, and the Gospel Celebration of Life raises money for it. This year’s event, the seventh annual, was Sunday, April 13. The theme was “Keeping Hope Alive: The Seven Faces of Erin – Daughter, Sister, Friend, Mentor, Visionary, Peacemaker, Inspiration.”
“Erin Nicole Peterson was not only a loving daughter and a vivacious presence in her friends’ lives,” said the Rev. Eugene Johnson. “Erin was a child of God, so she was a positive influence in the lives of others. She was an ambassador — woven in the fabric of humanity and crosscut with the faith of our savior, Jesus Christ.”
Several musical groups performed during the program, including youth who sang moving and uplifting songs. And interspersed among them were three former teammates of Erin’s on Westfield’s basketball team. Each spoke about the impact she had on them and others.
“She was a visionary — someone who can see the world in a different way,” said Kaitie Clarkin. “She was that friend you could confide in and who would give you everything she had to help you. And in the locker room, after a loss, she would always calm things down when things got testy. She was just a wonderful person.”
Regarding Erin’s relationship with her parents, Clarkin said, “They were each other’s best friends — and I wonder where her parents get their strength from, after all that’s happened. But they’re still being parents, helping Erin realize her dream through the foundation.”
Jessica Honesty called Erin “a walking angel in the flesh — a touch of heaven at its finest. When we played basketball, I was always hard on myself, trying to be the best, but she always reassured me, gave me confidence and told me I didn’t have to be perfect. She was a pure leader on the court and the sweetest and most caring individual off the court. She was there for me whenever I needed a friend.”
Carly Greenlief spoke next. “I was the youngest on the team and Erin made me feel welcome. I also knew her as a friend and neighbor; and even when she went to college, she still called and checked on me. And when she came back home for a visit when I was still in high school, she took me out for ice cream and helped me talk through some problems.”
“Erin had the type of personality that could take a bad situation and make it better,” continued Greenlief. “She was also so kind and, even if she didn’t know you, she’d treat you as a friend. And I know she’s still up there mentoring and guiding me and helping me make the right decisions.”
At the program’s end, Celeste Peterson stepped to the podium. She acknowledged the presence of her parents, sister and other relatives in the audience and told the crowd, “I’m truly humbled by your attendance because Erin meant a lot to Grafton and I.”
“Gospel means good news, and we hope we brought that to you today,” she said. Peterson also noted that, through the Erin Peterson Legacy Initiative, University of Mary Washington freshman Richard De Lima will be receiving a $1,000 scholarship to return to that school in the fall.
“It’s been seven years since I heard Erin’s voice, or she took up too much room in the bed or was the boss of the TV — and I miss her,” said Peterson. She then thanked her family for supporting her, this past seven years — “for being there for me and crying with me when all I could do was cry.”
She thanked Team Erin, the group that put on the annual celebration, plus the church members and local community for also giving her strength, when needed.
“Grafton and I hope we’ll see Erin again,” said Peterson. “You’d think, after seven years, you wouldn’t cry as much. You never get over the loss of a child, but you can share your faith with other people so they’ll know what helps you to sustain. I want to see Erin in heaven and I’m living my life so I can.”
Via the Erin Peterson Fund, scholarships are given to graduating seniors at Westfield, Mountain View and Falls Church high schools. And grant money goes to Westfield for its Boys Leadership Group Today for Tomorrow, which supports at-risk young men attending that school.
“In total, we’ve given away $125,900, and I couldn’t have done it without you all,” Peterson told the audience. “So far, we’ve graduated 547 young men through Westfield’s leadership program. They’re mostly minority boys and all of them are either pursuing careers or are in college. We affirmed them and told them we expected more from them and that we have confidence in them.”
Addressing the audience directly, she said, “I appreciate you all and thank you for coming today. And thank you for keeping Erin’s dream and legacy alive.”