LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — Lafayette Renaissance Charter High School is honoring Alaya Christian, a victim of the Mamou Mardi Gras mass shooting, by celebrating her legacy and spirit.

During what would have been her senior year, the school is ensuring Christian’s joyful and spirited legacy lives on through various tributes and memorials.

“Her level of school spirit really was just a bright light in our hallways,” said Marcus Simon, Principal of Lafayette Renaissance Charter High School.

Alaya Christian was actively involved in academics and athletics, participating in softball, volleyball, and serving as an athletic trainer for the football team.

“Her laughter, her spirit, everything,” said Lesley Hansen, Director of Athletics. “It represented what we look for here at our school.”

Her softball jersey is displayed in the school gym, and her picture is featured on the softball field as a tribute to her involvement in sports.

The football team honors her memory by wearing her number 25 on their practice jerseys, and her brother, a sophomore, has changed his jersey number to 25 in her honor.

An anonymous donor has established the Alaya Christian Memorial Scholarship, which will be awarded to a graduating senior who embodies the school’s core values of purpose, passion, integrity and grit.

The first recipient of the Alaya Christian Memorial Scholarship will be announced during the senior awards ceremony this year.

Through these tributes and the scholarship, Lafayette Renaissance Charter High School ensures that Alaya Christian’s legacy continues to inspire students and faculty alike.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KLFY. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KLFY staff before being published.

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