I have been blessed and so very fortunate to have had the honor of knowing Erin throughout high school, and then going on to college together. We were both so excited about coming to Tech. I cannot recall one unhappy memory of her and that's how I will always remember her. She had the biggest, brightest, and best smile of anyone I have ever known. Anyone who knew her could tell you how much of a fighter she was. She was always ready to pull you up when you were feeling low. Erin possessed such a strength and infectious spirit that you really couldn't help but love her and want to be around her. I only wish I could have had the opportunity to tell her all that I felt, but I take comfort in knowing she is watching over me and knows how I feel without ever having to say a word. She was simply an angel who was put on this Earth to teach us not be afraid to laugh as loud and as often as we wanted. I will always, always, always love her and hold a spot for her in my heart.

Dear readers and close friends of Erin. I am a 32-year-old woman who has never lost anyone close to me in my entire life. Not a friend, a relative...no one. Since the shooting, I have blocked out every image, every article and every news broadcast of a lost student and beloved family member. In my own way I have shunned the pain that is associated with such a horrible tragedy. Until today. Today, I logged on to CNN for the first time, ready to deal with it...ready to accept it, and saw the listing of lost victims, and those who will never be forgotten. As I sat at my desk, my heart became heavy and cried. My mind finally accepted it as true. I clicked on one photo... Erin Peterson.

Her face, her picture... she was beautiful. I read about her, her life, and I read the words from those who loved and knew her most. I went to her Myspace page... I saw friends leave her comments of initial concern when the shooting happened...saying call me and let me know you are okay....and then I read further to see those same friends come back to tell her goodbye. I imagined how it must have felt for them to type those simple words...goodbye. I have cried for this young aspiring student as thought she were my own child. Because to me, she represents that child -- that child that was doing their best in school, so close to having it all, and positioning her life to have even more.

Erin.... your family, friends, loved ones will all miss you dearly... but me, and the rest of the world, who never knew you will miss you too.

I knew Erin in middle school and I think we just loved to annoy each other. There are two things that I will always think of when remembering Erin. One was her fierce loyalty to her friends and the other is basketball. Our middle school was small with only 40 students in sixth through eighth grade. We practiced at a local park because we didn't have a gym at the time and barely enough players to fill the court. Most of us showed up to have a few laughs, play some ball, and hang out. Erin? She was there to win. And you were in trouble if you ever said that we couldn't. That being said, I was in trouble a lot. No matter what, she always played her best and expected everyone else to do the same. With everything in me, I wish we were on the court right now getting told by her to stop fooling around and focus on the game.

Erin Peterson was the sweetest, most caring person I knew. I played basketball with her, and she was the 'big sister' of the team. She was always there to offer a helping hand or a giant hug on a bad day. Erin was the kind of person who walked into a room with a smile on her face and it made everyone else smile no matter what kind of mood they were in. Everyone in Fairfax, Virginia, from her Lessons Learned basketball family loves and misses her, and are keeping her family in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in Peace, Erin.

I've known Erin since grade school and I am deeply saddened by her death. She was an outstanding person and gifted athlete and student. Her loss is tragic and hits home. She always made everyone laugh and smile, and she always looked on the upside. Everyone who knew her wishes her family and friends sincerest condolencences. She is in my thoughts and prayers everyday. You will be missed Erin!

Erin is a beautiful Angel. She truley brightened my day with her loving smile. She was caring, smart, loving, and kind. I can't stop thinking about her and how someone could do this to such innocent people. Its been the hardest two days of my life! It was just on Friday where I saw her at the gym and she introduced me to her gateway kids that she was hosting. Being the loving person that she is, she hosted 3 kids. I miss her so much words cannot explain. I searched for her all day Monday, but God found her first...R.I.P. Erin Peterson. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I love you Baby Girl -Narges

I love you Erin. I am so glad I got to meet you. It might not have seemed like it then, but I really apreciated everything you did for our basketball team. Always there to cheer us on and encourage us. Telling us those funny high school stories, but being serious about our work ethic when you had to. I will never forget the big smile you kept on your face and the time you boxed out that 14-year-old boy and he fell to the ground while everyone laughed.

I can't believe you're not coming back, but I guess now you get to be in a better place and I know you are looking down on us like a big sister and I'm looking up at you like a little sister would, wanting advice and support.

I love you dearly and have decided to dedicate my basketball games to you ... I've decided to play every game as hard as I can if it means running till I pass out cause that's what you would do and I've realized that I'm fortunate to be alive and playing the game I love with the support of my family and friends. Nobody will forget you Erin, nobody can forget you. Your smile your attitude, you have left deep footsteps in all of our hearts and anyone who knows you will want to follow them. You have inspired me to be whoever I want, and to smile 24/7. I love you erin and I have a name to live up to. Some people might just remember you for this week, but I will remember you forever!

Erin, I LOVE YOU and I truly believe that God has gained an angel because you are so beautiful and pure! You were so full of life and I will NEVER forget your infectious smile! I remember the days in journalism when I would hear you call my name to come next door and talk to you guys cause we weren't ever really doing "work" to begin with! ... lol ...I would always think to say no cause I had to finish homework, but I could never say no to you! You made it so easy to be happy!!! The day you hooked me and Kevin up for prom was so funny! YOU brightened my day whenever I saw or heard about you! I know they say that when you pass, you are in a better place and you can't hurt anymore! I am quite sure that you weren't hurting before you were taken from us but I do believe that you will NEVER hurt again! You are in Heaven where you belong because like I said, you are truly an ANGEL! I love you more than you will know and you will NEVER be forgotten! Love always, Carmen.

I first had the pleasure of meeting Erin back in 1998. It was the first year of my teaching career and Erin was one of my fifth-grade students. Like most of the students at this school, Erin was an exceptional young lady who I truly loved teaching for the 4 years that I had her in my PE classes. As teachers, we're not supposed to have favorites, but I can honestly say, that Erin was just one of those people who you couldn't help but love. So yes, she was definitely one of my favorites. Not only did she always give her best, she demanded that everyone else do the same, and she was always there to help anyone that needed her.

Words cannot describe how deeply saddened I felt when I heard the news about Erin. Once your students move on, you might lose touch, but you never lose the love you have them in your heart. To know that I will never have the opportunity to see her again breaks my heart, and to know how much pain this tragedy has brought to so many is almost too much to bare. To Erin's parents, I am so sorry for your loss. I wish there were some way that I could take away your pain. Erin was a remarkable young lady because of you, and your daughter will be missed by all who she came into contact with in her short life. I will never forget how special Erin was and all of the things that she taught me. Goodbye Erin. I will miss you!

Erin Peterson was a teammate and captain of my daughters Varsity basketball team at Westfield HS. I first met her my daughters freshman year at her first HS football game where she greeted my daughter as we entered the gate and ushered her to the student section. The ironic thing about Erin dying by the hands of a young man who was a loner and felt he had no friends, was that Erin saw everyone as a friend. She went out of her way to make sure everyone was included and welcome. Everywhere she went she spoke to everyone and included them. As the captain of the Girls Basketball team, she was the one who always led the team in prayer and had a fierce competitive spirit. Even after graduating, she returned to cheer on the team and give them love and support. We will miss you Erin.