Crowd gathers for vigil to remember death of East freshman
By ROBERT CONNELLY
YOUNGSTOWN
Family members, volleyball teammates and members of the community joined Wednesday night for a candlelight vigil to remember Faith McCullough-Wooster, 14, who died in front of East High School last week.
Maximus McCullough, the father of Faith, led the circle of a couple dozen people in an “Our Father” prayer before the group shared memories of the freshman at the Youngstown school. Some who spoke up didn’t know Faith personally – others told stories of the 14-year-old.
The vigil was one day after Faith was laid to rest by her family. Faith died Nov. 12 after she fell into the path of a school bus on East High Avenue. McCullough has disputed that it was a freak accident and reiterated that point Wednesday night and said he pledges to educate people about safety in school zones through an organization formed under the name of Faith.
“I just want to make things safer for kids,” he said. “I’m going to dedicate the rest of my life to safe zones.”
Jamie Morales attended the vigil and didn’t know Faith or the family. “I’m a Catholic and I’m here for spiritual strength,” he said shortly before the event began. “I think [the vigil] gives the father strength ... She was a talented kid.”
Morales took on duties of directing traffic around the vigil that circled around the spot that flowers and stuffed animals have been collecting since the accident last week. A Youngstown police cruiser came about 20 minutes into the vigil and activated its overhead lights for cars coming down the hill to know about the crowd that was in a circle, from the bottom of the hill to the street.
Many, including McCullough, laughed when remembering Faith’s burps and remarked on her singing abilities.
“Keep the stories coming because I love hearing about my baby girl,” McCullough told the crowd.
About halfway through the vigil, a woman tearfully sang a rendition of “This Little Light of Mine.”
Volleyball teammates of Faith’s attended the event and said they plan a volleyball match in her name and other things to remember her, including making T-shirts.
Justice Adams, 17, a classmate at East High with Faith, said of the vigil, “I feel like it’s a way to show our love and support ... This is our family now.”
She said she ate breakast with Faith every morning. “She was talented. She amazed us the first time we met her.”