UPIKE remembers Dakota Carroll
0Written By: Sarah Hackwortk
Over spring break, the University of Pikeville lost two of its students, including freshman Dakota Carroll. Dakota was born in Lexington, Ky., on Dec. 14, 1996 and passed away in a car accident on March 17, 2016. She graduated from Pikeville High School in 2015 and was attending UPIKE, majoring in criminal justice.
Dakota was employed at McDonald’s and enjoyed four-wheeling, hiking, fishing, and anything else outdoors. She was also a proud member of the Delta Delta Nu sorority. She leaves behind several loved ones and friends who played important roles in her life.
On Sunday, March 19, the Delta Delta Nu sorority, along with a few other friends, gathered in the Chapel to share stories and memories, and to hold a candlelight ceremony for Dakota. On Tuesday, March 22, the campus hosted a special service and balloon release for Dakota, starting in Booth Auditorium and later moving to the Benefactors Plaza.
Death is never easy. It’s one thing to lose a classmate, but when she’s also a friend and/or sorority sister; it makes it that much harder. Brittany Stacy was Dakota’s roommate and also a sorority sister.
“Dakota was always one to make you see the bigger picture. Always the one that would laugh at your jokes, even if they were stupid. My life as a UPIKE student will not be the same without her here by my side helping me with whatever I needed help with. I miss her so much already,” Stacy said.
At the service held in Booth, two other sorority sisters, Kirstyn Heath and Bri Smalley read a poem in remembrance of Dakota.
“In the rising of the sun and in its going down, we remember Dakota. In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of the winter, we remember Dakota. In the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring, we remember Dakota. In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of the summer, we remember Dakota. In the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of Autumn, we remember Dakota. When we are lost and sick at heart, we remember Dakota. When we have joys we yearn to share, we remember Dakota. So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are a part of us, as we remember Dakota,” they read.