Post Falls High School and its students are recognized by their black and orange colors. 

Football jerseys, school spirit days and banners hung across the school have donned their classic color scheme for decades. 

But on Thursday, students, parents and school faculty united under a different hue — the color purple. 

In remembrance of PFHS sophomore Lexie Haines, who died following a car accident June 5, peers, coaches, teachers and parents gathered together, all dressed in Haines’s favorite color to release balloons in her memory. 

Some students embraced each other, tears falling as they honored their teammate, peer and friend. 

Others shared stories that made them laugh and smile. All were united in their desire to honor the person who left an impression on their lives.  

“You will forget what people say, but you will never forget how people make you feel,” said Real Life Ministries Pastor Matt McLeod as he addressed the crowd that had gathered at the Fields at Real Life. 

Gatherers had nothing but good stories and pleasant memories to share of Haines as they took turns speaking to the crowd.

“I would love to stand up here and talk about how special Lexie is, but I don’t think I need to do that,” said Marc Allert, an assistant coach for the varsity girls basketball team.

Allert believed everyone already knew how special and impactful Haines was to her community. 

“Every time you would see her, she would be laughing or smiling. It’s crazy the impact that has on a person,” said Sawyer Norisada, a fellow student-athlete. “Everybody that knew her, knew her as a smiling, loving person.” 

Fellow student Jayden Jonson looked up to Haines.

“She was a really good leader,” said Johnson. “She changed so many people's lives with her leadership and just being really strong and courageous. No matter the time or place she was always a shining light, and her smile was so bright and her laugh was perfect.” 

According to soccer teammate Kira Dolan, Haines was a driven competitor.

“She would get hurt and still do everything she could to keep going,” she said. 

Friends and family members swapped stories about Haines. Whether it was about basketball, soccer or her love for animals, one thing came through: her personality left an impression on the people around her.  

“She was definitely a fun person to be around. She was always happy, she always found the good in things,” said Jaeson Walker, a friend of Haines.

More than 150 people showed up to remember Haines and released their balloons at once, coloring the clear, blue sky a deep shade of purple. 

PFHS students Carter Sopha, JD Milan and Kira Dolan write personal notes for a scrapbook dedicated to Lexie Haines.