The town of Apex is mourning the loss of an Apex High School student killed in a car crash.
The community held a vigil Sunday afternoon the Campus Courtyard of Apex Town Hall for Samentha Mele. Mele was killed in a crash during Easter Weekend in Virginia.
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The town also lit the town's water town purple in her honor.
"She brought hope, energy [and] love," said Jacques Gilbert, mayor of Apex. "She illuminated all those things, and that's why they're here."
Mele's funeral was held Friday morning. She was 17 years old.
Mele’s dad, a football coach at James Madison University, encouraged Samantha's friends to wear spring colors to her memorial services in a message on X. Purple was his daughter’s favorite color.
Those who attended Friday’s service at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Apex did just that.
"She showed up for people in unique way," Gilbert said on Sunday. "For them to come out and show support back to her family is to show who we are as a community."
Gilbert posted a picture of Mele on Facebook. The picture shows Mele cheering for the Apex High School football team.
In the post Gilbert wrote, "Our hearts continue to ache as we mourn the loss of Samantha Faith Mele — a beloved student at Apex High School whose light and laughter touched so many lives."
“It has had a big impact and it really shows the value of life and we can’t take it for granted," said Mayor Gilbert, who sat down with the Mele family on Thursday.
Students at Apex High School told WRAL they are dedicating a parking space to honor Mele's memory.