Family and friends keep student's legacy alive after crash

HIGHLAND, Ark. (KAIT) – It’s been almost two months since a Highland student died in an accident, but people in her community are still keeping her legacy alive.

On Friday September 13th 17-year-old Brooklynn Grace Pendarvis was killed when her vehicle lost control and collided with an 18-wheeler on Highway 63.

Her mother, Andrea Pendarvis, is a teacher in the Highland School District. That morning, Brooklynn left a few minutes before her mother and sister.

“We were pulling out of the driveway at 7:04 a.m. and we finally ran into some traffic and we stopped and just had a feeling,” Andrea said. “I told Macy, ‘Put on Life360 and see where your sister is.’ Then she picked up the phone and showed it to me, and her little icon didn’t move, and I knew.

Andrea and Brooklynn’s father, Jody Pendarvis, said she loved everyone from a young age.

“She was the happiest baby, the happiest toddler, the happiest little girl ever,” Andrea said. “I had so many other students tell me they were sitting alone in the lunchroom and Brooklynn sat with them.”

“She made everyone feel important, it didn’t matter who you were, she put a smile on their face,” Jody said.

Andrea saw Brooklynn’s love at home, where she cared for a calf. Even if that meant occasionally leaving a sleepover early once or twice. Her teammate, Emilee Duhme, said she loved her calf.

“She was worried all night about having to get up to feed George, she said don’t let me sleep in because George will be mad at me. She loved her cow,” Duhme said.

Brooklynn was also an athlete and played volleyball and basketball. Her teammates said she was more than an athlete.

“She was a light and that doesn’t minimize it at all. I mean, when she walked into a room, you could almost feel she was there,” Duhme said.

Highland girls basketball coach Cecil Meyer said Brooklynn made the most of everything, and so did her friend Macy Daggett.

“Nobody took more pictures outside of training. She was willing to do anything you asked of her, always had a good mood and was always happy,” Meyer said.

“She really loved everything she did, she put her complete love into everyone and we all knew that. She showed everyone that she truly loved them,” Daggett said.

Since Brooklynn’s death, the entire school and community has come out to support the Pendarvis family and their friends.

“For us it helps to put back the broken pieces of our lives. Our family and our friends, our church, the community, the businesses and ultimately the Highland School District literally saved our lives and our family,” said Andrea.

“It just emphasizes how good she was, that people all over from other schools, and things like that, are rallying as well as we are,” Duhme said.

Brooklynn’s loss continues to be felt throughout the community, but her legacy will live on.

“She loved every second she ever walked this earth and it was wonderful to be a part of and beautiful to see,” Duhme said.

Brooklynn is still remembered by the hashtag #lovelikebrooklynn. The Lady Rebels basketball team plans to honor her in numerous ways this season.

Would you like to report a typo or correction? click here.