ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- It's here at Jefferson Middle School where a normal school day back in 1995 turned into tragedy. A young classmate stabbed Stephne Givens to death. Now, as her family and friends continue to celebrate her life 20 years after the incident took place, recent events also have them praying for peace.
Gone, but Stephne is still teaching a lesson or two on life to those who loved her.
"After everything with the violence still going on, we figured it was a good," Stephne's mother Aledia Givens said. "Stephne's 20th year came at a good time."
A few dozen people gathered at Heavenly Temple Church in Rochester to celebrate and remember.
"It took me a long time to get over it," Stephne's grandmother Ruby Givens said. "It took about five years for me to be completely over it."
On Sept. 21, 1995, 13-year-old Stephne was stabbed in the neck with a steak knife. Her killer was a 12-year-old classmate. It all started with an argument over a boy.
"I just remember it being very quick and unnecessary," Stephanie Bliss, a classmate of Stephne's said.
Among those who danced and sang in celebration of all lives taken on Rochester's streets, were four of Stephne's classmates.
"I think subconsciously we are living her life for her and it's just a blessing," Bliss said.
That blessing comes with a message they feel compelled to share.
"We all want young girls especially, to make better decisions, to think, to seek a preferred adult to help you deal with a situation," Bliss said.
As for Stephne's family, the bloodshed on the Flower City's streets they pray it stops.
"We are just holding on to faith," Ruby said. "If we didn't have the faith we wouldn't be standing here."
It's also kept them holding onto each other even tighter.
"I'm blessed, I'm blessed," Aledia said. "I am blessed."
Stephne would be 31. A Christian youth group is founded in her memory to help inspire kids to stay in school.