I’ll always remember the day it happened. Sitting in Spanish class one minute, and the next, hearing the announcement break the news that Ava Wood has passed away. The way I felt when I heard how she passed, mixed with everyone’s reaction made me feel ways I’d never felt before. While scrolling through social media later that day, I had seen the idea to retire Ava’s soccer jersey number, 19. I made a petition for people to sign in order for this to happen. I never expected the amount of eyes this would reach. The next day I woke up to check and the petition already had over 3,000 signatures. Throughout the day it had reached a significant amount of people, and it eventually hit 16,000 just 4 days later. However, this isn’t about me, this is about all 43,000 of you that supported this petition and made it so successful. This season for the girls soccer team no one wore her jersey number and Baldwinsville hosted a memorial tournament in her name. Along with this, there is a memorial in our school including of her jersey, pictures, and a paper with her quote, “Stand strong and make them wonder how you’re still smiling”. I just want to thank everyone who was able to support Ava. Rest in Peace Ava J. Wood, June 20, 2008 - January 20, 2023.