Family and friends gathered on Sunday to commemorate the life and legacy of Harmyne Clay. After passing away from respiratory issues, her family dedicated a balloon memorial in her honor, and reflected on the many lives she impacted.

“She has a funny personality,” Harmnye’s friend Jamiyah Altidor said. “She loves everybody. She has the biggest heart in the world.”

Hosting a balloon release memorial at Wilson Park, members reflect on memories shared with Harmnye, known for not only her positive spirit but also her cheerleading.

“Seeing her come here and giving her the hardest practicing and learning different routines,” Harmnye’s father Rashad Clay said. “To see how much love everybody came together in the same spot that she used to sit here and just try and try our hardest.”

Those who knew her honored her on what would have been her 14th birthday.

“We want to celebrate her birthday, but also get together to help her dad and her mom and her sisters to get through the hard time that they're getting through,” cheer coach Maxine Hart said.

Harmnye’s family felt the love and support as over 100 people from the community were in attendance to celebrate.

“It made me feel so relieved, especially going through a time like this,” Rashad said. “We need each other. We need each other as a team, as a family, you know, to help each other keep going through day by day. So this definitely was a blessing.”

Teammates say Harmnye touched many of their lives and motivated them to keep their head high and push forward.

“You will see her again, and you just got to keep shining cause at the end of the day she would want us to keep shining and keep pushing hard,” Harmnye’s friend Maknieya Huntley said.