WWW arkcity.net

Photo by James Jordan click image to enlarge

Final vigil for Sanderholm begins closure

By CHANSI LONG
Traveler Correspondent

Like the period at the end of a sentence, a final candlelight vigil was held for Jodi Sanderholm last night, concluding a four-day ritual. The ceremony took place in front of the Ark City Dance building shortly after what police believe is Sanderholm's body was found in southeastern Cowley County.

In fact, two separate vigils were held last night due to an Ark City High School basketball game being played during the first one. Jodi's parents attended the game to support the players and the danceline team. The danceline did not perform, however, but recited a poem written by danceline team members in Jodi's honor instead.

At the first candlelight ceremony, about a hundred people were present.

People arrived early, picked up a candle and huddled close to one another. Conversation was scarce. They stood quietly and shared looks of acknowledgment and gentle embraces. Eyes were red from crying; others displayed vacant stares.

Many attendees wore ACHS jackets and sported pink ribbons on their shirts or in their hair. The ribbons were distributed earlier in the week as a tribute to Jodi. The ribbons, once a sign of hope, were also tied to posts and taped to walls. Posters with inscriptions like "We love you Jodi," and "God is watching you" decorated the building's windows. One poster displayed a blue, stick person drawn by a young hand with the words "We love Jodi so much."

Redeemer Lutheran Church pastor Mark Boxman lead the ceremony.

"There's a time to dance and a time to mourn," Boxman said. "A time to laugh and a time to cry."

The distant sound of sobbing and the inescapable sight of fresh tears on nearby faces indicated that it was a time for the latter.

Boxman said that "God has perfect timing," then pointed at the dimly lit sky.

"I don't know how long you've lived here," Boxman said. "But I bet you've never seen a darker night."

Everyone glanced up, and indeed, there was not a star in sight.

When Boxman concluded, everyone extinguished their candle and stood in relative silence. Many departed while others lingered.

Those who stayed shared hugs and words of comfort. They also talked about Jodi and the affect her loss has had.

Ark City Dance owner and instructor Terri Schroeder, who has known the Sanderholm family for over 10 years, said that Jodi's death has affected her tremendously.

"She danced here as a young child," Schroeder said. "She graduated here and went on to instruct here."

Schreoder said Jodi was so active in Ark City that the tragedy has been felt throughout the community.

"The loss has affected everyone," Schroeder said.

Ashley Cochran, who has been friends with her since preschool, said that those who knew Jodi were blessed.

"She cared about everyone," Cochran said. "And she'd do anything to help you."

Schroeder had similar things to say.

"She was darn near perfect," Schroeder said. "She was passionate, responsible, caring, . . ." her voice inflection indicated she could list many more attributes if not for the lump in her throat.

"We're such a close-knit community," Schroeder said. "This is the kind of thing you see on TV. For it to happen to someone as wonderful as Jodi," she stopped and shook her head in disbelief.

Many Ark City residents were also shocked. Cowley sophomore Aaron Loehr said he couldn't believe it and that he hadn't been able to focus since he found out.

"Things like this shouldn't happen here," Loehr said. "It feels like we all just lost a very good friend."

Janet Carroll, former neighbor to the Sanderholm family, was almost speechless.

"I don't know what to say," she said. "This is the most devastating thing that I've ever been this close to."

Carroll said that she has experienced loved ones passing, but has never personally encountered a death of violence.

Lynn Burries, who has a daughter who danced with Jodi, said the important thing is to take something away from the tragedy and to remember that God has a plan for Jodi. Burries said that Ark City Dance is a "home away from home" for many dancers.

"They're like family," Burries said. "The girls have really stuck together."

After blowing out her candle, former Cowley student Connie Bucher shared what appeared to be a sudden epiphany with those around her.

"What makes me so mad is that it doesn't matter who you are or where you're from," Bucher said. "She was one of us."

Loehr said that, though tragic, the event has really shown him how much community members care about each other. Loehr said he joined an Internet group called Find Jodi when he found out about her disappearance, and that the number of group members quickly rose to a 1,000.

Bucher also said that she thought it was unbelievable how far and how quickly the word spread.

Bucher said she knew that information about Jodi had carried at least halfway around the world because her online friend in Germany was aware of it before she said anything to her.

About 300 people attended the second candlelight vigil, which took place after the game. The air was colder than during the first, and a slight breeze had surfaced. Those present watched their candle flame flicker in the wind, guarding it with their hands. At the end of the night, many said that though it wasn't what they'd wanted to hear, it was a relief to finally know what happened.

"Now I know she's in heaven with Jesus," Cochran said smiling.

Sanderholm's grandparents, Don and Peggy Shanks, have established an endowment scholarship for potential science students in the memory of Jodi, a pre-pharmacy major, at Cowley College.

Additionally, a fund for the family has been started at Union State Bank where donations may be mailed to 127 S. Summit St., Arkansas City, KS 67005.

Above: High school students sit in front of a picture of Jodi Sanderholm early Wednesday morning at Ark City High School as they held a prayer service at the school. More photos can be found in the print edition of The Traveler.