MSA-East remembers classmate Bihm with balloon release ceremony

ST. GABRIEL - High school students at the MSA-East Academy held a special balloon release memorial ceremony on Friday, Oct. 4, in honor of their classmate, Rebecca Ann Bihm, who died unexpectedly at her home on Sunday, Sept. 29.

The program included readings by four members of the senior class while the students held more than 50 bright pink balloons. Then, while "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban played in the background, they released the balloons and watched as they softly floated upward and through the cloudy sky.

Bihm loved art, music, and swimming. She had participated last spring in the state music awards and was a member of the MSA-East jazz band.

The students also created an art banner in her memory, which is hanging in the school's lobby.

Poems and readings were recited during the balloon release memorial service.

Reading by Madelyn LeBlanc

We gather together this morning to celebrate the life of our classmate Rebecca. We are grateful that she was a member of our school family. We are thankful for her contributions as a student, club member, and friend. We are glad we were able to share happy times with her. And even though we can see her no longer, her spirit will continue to be with us at MSA East.

Reading by Gigi Roth

Memories

I thought of you with love today

but that is nothing new.

I thought about you yesterday

and days before that too.

I think of you in silence

I often speak your name

All I have are memories

and your picture in a frame.

Your memory is my keepsake

with which I'll never part

God has you in His keeping

I have you in my heart.

Reading by Taylor Green

The Rose Beyond The Wall

A rose once grew where all could see,

sheltered beside a garden wall,

And as the days passed swiftly by,

it spread its branches, straight and tall...

One day, a beam of light shone through

a crevice that had opened wide

The rose bent gently toward its warmth

then passed beyond to the other side

Now, you who deeply feel its loss,

be comforted - the rose blooms there-

its beauty even greater now, nurtured by

God's own loving care.

Send off by Brandy Dunbar

At this time, I ask that all of you think of a happy memory of Rebecca as we send her our balloon bouquet.