By ARIELLE WALDMAN
A photograph of Tessa Byers wearing a lime green sweatshirt, a colorful headband and a huge smile rested on an easel in the doorway of Falk Theatre.
A line of people signed their names around the photograph before entering the theater for her memorial service on March 30.
Byers, 19, a freshman, was killed in a car accident on March 5. She and five other University of Tampa students were driving to New Orleans for Mardi Gras during spring break.
According to a report by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), freshman Russell Colleran, 19, was driving a 2009 five-passenger Dodge Caliber.
The vehicle overturned several times after veering off the road onto a grass shoulder of Interstate 75. FHP investigators say that Byers was not wearing her seat-belt during the time of the accident.
Alongside her photo sat a dish of Jolly Ranchers, Byers’ favorite candy, and fanned-out pamphlets.
On the wall rested the Greek letters of the national theater honor society, Alpha Kappa Alpha, (UT’s chapter of Alpha Psi Omega) that Byers was set to be inducted into this spring.
Inside the theatre, a slide show of pictures and quotes from Tessa played in the center of the stage. One quote read, “I never pay attention to time.”
“Tessa lived her life on stage, so it is fitting to celebrate on stage,” said Stephanie Russell Holz, associate dean of students and director of the Office of Students Leadership and Engagement.
Arthur Hollist, associate professor of English, spoke after Russell Holz. Before he spoke, he had tallied the number of hours he had spent with her in class. “I knew Tessa for 22 hours and six minutes,” said her former English professor.
“You only need one or two encounters to know she is special.”
He spoke about her passion and how comfortable she seemed with herself.
Byers was supposed to travel to Ghana with Hollist and a group of UT students this spring. He dedicated the trip to her memory.
A group of 17 students sang one of Tessa’s original songs, titled, “Tear-filled Eyes.”
Two guitarists joined in during the chorus. The audience looked around at each other through teary eyes while some grabbed hands.
Four of Byers’ friends also spoke at the memorial.
Tamara Austin created a documentary from all of Byers’ photo and video footage. “I’ve been going through a lot, and making this video not only celebrated her but helped me,” said Austin.
“Tear-filled Eyes” played in the background of the documentary as images of Byers with friends and family flashed across the screen.
There were several interviews in which people talked about the first time they had met Tessa.
Another speaker, Lauren Jekowsky, recalled her own memories of Tessa. “I went into this friendship expecting to influence her, but she influenced me,” said Jekowsky, president of Campus Crusade for Christ, who met Byers through the organization.
She wore zebra shoes and a lime green jacket to represent Tessa, who was “always dressing crazy.”
Her speech was followed by “The Garden Song,” one of the songs Byers had played for Campus Crusade for Christ. Members of the group performed the song.
Byers’ boyfriend, Timothy Bourn, was next to speak. He discussed how they had watched the movie, The Bucket List, and had decided to make their own bucket list, which they added to daily.
Bourn stepped to the center of the stage as a large flower descended from the ceiling, an art project that had been created in her honor.
Each petal, eight total, represented a different aspect of Byers, such as her love for Jolly Ranchers and the time she took apart a couch with a metal rod.
To conclude the service, members of the theatre group sang one of Byers’ favorite songs from a show they did together titled, “Sing,” by The Dresden Dolls.
The lead singer coached the audience before he began so everyone could sing along.
The theatre was filled with the voices of Byers’ friends, peers, professors and family who sang in her memory and honor.
“This whole service represented her. I can feel her here,” said Erin Dickerson, a friend of Byers.
“The word ‘memorial’ in itself describes Tessa — a celebration of life.”
Arielle Waldman can be reached at awaldman@spartans.ut.edu.