" Staffremembers friend, co-worker, spirit Sophomore Lena Hendrix, leadership editor of the Petit Jean, died in a four-wheeling accident Oct. 16 while at her grandparents' horne near Nashville, Ark. Sophomore Brandon Dodds, Lena's boyfriend, survived the accident. Lena, 19, was an honor student and a member of Ko Jo Kai. Her unexpected death shadowed the staff's work on the Petit Jean with sorrow and pricked the hearts of those who knew her. While we mourned the loss of a friend, we, who knew her, took refuge in the comfort of her memory. Our staff was brightened because of Lena's presence. "Lena was someone I looked forward to seeing each day," junior Christina Boils, academics editor, said. "She had a great personality and a contagious laugh that made me feel at ease when Iwas around her." Senior Jamie Higgins, athletics editor, agreed with Boils' sentiments, saying that Lena was full of love and joy and was always a pleasure to work with. Jim Miller, Pent Jean adviser, remembered several qualities about Lena, but one remained at the front of his memory - her commitment to her home and family. "Lena was an example to me because she had her priorities in order; it was obvious her relationship with God and her family were her most treasured possessions," Miller said. Four days before her death, Lena wrote an essay explaining her love of her rural home. "I want to smeU the dirt from the freshly turned fields and ride my four-wheeler down the dirt road, splashing in puddles and watching the birds fly up out of the grass on either side of the road," Lena wrote. "I feel like a cliche right now, the simple, down-home girl who spreads her wings and goes to find her fame and fortune in the city, but in the end decides she is better suited to the farm, so she returns home." Dodds said nothing about Lena was short of amazing. "There's nothing you can't say," Dodds said. "Everything about her was speciaL The word special defined Lena." A pre-med major, Lena set impressive goals and planned for success. Her love for her home, family, friends and God provided a refreshing example for those of us on the staff. We will remember Lena for what she taught us during her short time in this world. t )) T) , rrtk 15:1.1
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