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Principal of Ashville High School, Patti Johnson, said that Friday was not easy, and the students had a hard time hearing that one of their classmates, Ashley Cartier, had been killed in a car accident with a school bus. While the school struggles to get back to normal, the faculty and students remember the great colleague, dancer and friend Cartier was.

“In a school this small, it effects everyone,” said Johnson. And while it affected the students, the teachers struggled as well. The high school’s counselor, Candice Mathews Cranford, was the sponsor of the danceline, of which Cartier was a member. Johnson said that Friday was just difficult for everyone to handle.

Because of the tragic event, counselors from Ashville’s middle and elementary schools came to support anyone grieving. Local church counselors were also available. This counseling was put in place to help students cope and prepare them for this week’s funeral and graveside service.

The funeral was held at the Bessemer Brown Funeral Home on Tuesday night. The school bussed band members but requested that other students wait until the graveside service to honor Cartier’s memory. This was held yesterday at Cool Springs Cemetery. Johnson said that the school bussed the rest of the students to this service.

In an effort to honor Cartier’s memory, her mother asked that everyone wear pink to the graveside because it was her favorite color. Johnson said that Wednesday was a hard day for everyone as well.  And while everything is difficult now and the struggle is still very real, Johnson wants everyone to remember Cartier fondly.

“I really just want people to know what a great kid she was, great and fun-loving,” said Johnson.