Teen remembered as 'truly beautiful'
Friends from college, high school lament death of Cassidy Pendley in Sunday fire
By Mindy Hagen
Friends from college, high school lament death of Cassidy Pendley in Sunday fire
Whether it was in the classroom, on the soccer field or among friends on the cheerleading squad, Cassidy Pendley left her mark on Fort Dorchester High School.
The class of 2007 graduate — one of the school's most well-known students — hoped to continue her impressive list of accomplishments at the University of South Carolina. In two months as a college freshman, Pendley had pledged Delta Delta Delta sorority and discussed plans to study chemical engineering.
Cassidy Pendley died Sunday in the beach house fire in North Carolina.
Those dreams ended Sunday morning, when Pendley, of North Charleston, was one of seven college students killed in a massive house fire on Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. Six of 13 students who spent the weekend at the beachfront home were able to escape the blaze and survived.
Pendley's friends confirmed Monday morning that she was one of six USC students who died, even though the North Carolina medical examiner's office had not released the victims' names as of late Monday. She is thought to be the only person from the Lowcountry who was killed.
Close friend Ally Bartosh, who has known Pendley since they tried out for Fort Dorchester's cheerleading squad more than four years ago, wrote in an e-mail that she broke down when she heard the news.
"I haven't stopped crying," wrote Bartosh, who is now enrolled at Trident Technical College. "It's a tragic loss. Just knowing that this is real is heartbreaking."
Bartosh wrote that she treasures her four years of high school memories with Pendley, including cheerleading camps, soccer tournaments and class powder puff team practices.
Video coverage
View video from the tragic fire.
Source: CNN
Pendley was popular, intelligent and motivated to succeed and challenged herself with a slate of advanced courses, Bartosh wrote. Pendley had received Dorchester District 2's academic excellence award, given to students with an average of 90 or higher.
"She always knew how to make me smile," Bartosh wrote. "She was truly beautiful, inside and out."
Fort Dorchester Principal Jim Atkinson declined to comment Monday, and district public information officer Pat Raynor said officials are unable to provide more information until the medical examiner's office confirms Pendley's name.
Still, Raynor said, Fort Dorchester guidance counselors were available Monday to comfort students. The school will discuss memorial activities as soon as the names are formally released, Raynor said.
"There's been no official announcement, but word has spread throughout the community and certainly at the school," Raynor said.
After graduating from Fort Dorchester in May, Pendley prepared for college life. By pledging Delta Delta Delta during her first weeks on campus, Pendley followed in the footsteps of her 20-year-old sister, Carly, who joined the same sorority two years ago.
On Monday, her sorority sisters and dormmates shared their grief online with Pendley's Lowcountry friends from Fort Dorchester and Oakbrook Middle.
Gabrielle Saul, a classmate from middle and high school, started a page on the social networking site Facebook.com called "RIP Cassidy Pendley." By Monday evening, more than 600 people had joined the group and left comments expressing their shock and sadness.
Saul said Pendley would have wanted her friends to help each other through the tragedy. Pendley befriended everyone, Saul said, even students who were bullied by others.
"She was the type of girl that, when she entered a room, everyone noticed," Saul said. "Cassidy was someone that everyone knew because she made a point of being friends with everyone. You don't think of things like this happening to good people like her."
Andy Paras contributed to this report. Reach Mindy B. Hagen at mhagen@postandcourier.com or 937-5433.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly versionComments
reality_woman (anonymous) says...
It is a terrible tragedy that will remian in our hearts forever. I had the pleasure of meeting this young woman and her sister over the years and knowing their mother personally. We may never know how, why etc. but we can show our support and love to the families. Nothing can ease the pain we all feel for these young people and the pain the families are experienceing today. Simply put what a terrible shame this had to happen. You will be in the hearts of many and kept in prayer.
October 30, 2007 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
afternoondelight (anonymous) says...
No words can ever express the sorrow the state of South Carolina and especially this community feels over this tragic event.
October 30, 2007 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tygers1231 (anonymous) says...
My heartfelt pain and sympathy for the families and friends of these beautiful teens taken away so earlier and though we may never understand why. I haven't had the pleasure of knowing any of these children, but I have a teenager of my own and I pray everyday for his safety. Parents should take the time to enjoy every opportunity we can, so that if something this horrible happens, you will have those memories to carry us through. It is obvious what type of teenagers they were, very loved by anyone they came in contact with. Families, please remember, these kids were Happy and enjoying their selves with friends. I will remember you in my prayers.
October 30, 2007 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
This is sad. All of the young kids that died. I am so sorry for anyone that lost anyone due to this fire.
October 30, 2007 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justme2 (anonymous) says...
The families have my Deepest Sympathy and Empathy.
October 30, 2007 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jmw9 (anonymous) says...
I am sorry for anyone who lost someone due to this fire.
October 30, 2007 at 12:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mggoose2000 (anonymous) says...
What a terrible tragedy! So sorry for your loss, Pendley family and friends. May God Bless you with his mercy and may he hold you up until you can stand on your own, once again.
October 30, 2007 at 12:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nickiegarbeil (anonymous) says...
My thoughts and prayers are with her family, her boyfriend, and friends..This is such a horrific tragedy, and it has touched so many local people..
My thoughts and prayers are also with the other children's families and friends as well.
May their memories be a blessing...
October 30, 2007 at 3:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
juniemoon1957 (anonymous) says...
My sincere condolences to all who lost family members in this very tragic event. May God bless you in the times ahead, my thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you. Juniemoon
October 30, 2007 at 4:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ahoward2165 (anonymous) says...
May God bless all of the families as they try to recover from this loss.
October 30, 2007 at 5:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dsc313 (anonymous) says...
my heart aches for the Pendley family and the others that have lost a child,sibling,a family member or friend in this horrible tragedy.I can not even imagine the extent of your loss,but I do offer you condelences and prayers from my family.
May God bless you all during this difficult time and always.
R.I.P. Cassidy and friends
October 30, 2007 at 6:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FDHSSOFTBALL36 (anonymous) says...
Cassidy---
Girl you will be missed by many people. God bless you and your family. Its soo hard to relize that something like this could happen to someone as great as you are...you always had a smile on your face...I loved seeing u..because you were a friend to everyone..you smiled and just brought cheer to people everyday...that is going to be missed...I hope you Rest in Peace girl...And remember all us from 2006 love and care about you...RIP CASSIDY..and to the other people and families god bless yall too!
October 30, 2007 at 11:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SylarPwnz1 (anonymous) says...
Why doth the bright sun set so early in the spring
With so much more light destined yet to bring?
Though its wick be short, should not the candle's light cling
And fight back the rain as the mourning doves sing?
Oh wretched fate why must we all heed your call?
Can we not this early day's providence forestall
And bask one more hour 'til the willow's shadow stands tall
And the leaves from their boughs commence to fall?
Without thine illumination, the worlds color doth fade
Shifting the spectrum of hues to cold, bitter grays.
As the macabre ferryman waits to be paid
Hopes for the future to rest must be laid.
As we linger in darkness, we can but remember the light
And the warmth that it brought, though never reaching its height.
As the rain steady falls on this bleak, blackened night
Know that you shall never be forgotten nor the joy you incite.
October 31, 2007 at 1:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jama (anonymous) says...
I wonder if alcohol played a part in this tragic accident?
October 31, 2007 at 7:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charleston (anonymous) says...
Thank you, SylarPwnz1, for capturing the communities sorrow. Who is the author of this poem?
My condolences to the friends and family on the premature passing of Ms. Pendley. Peace be with you all.
October 31, 2007 at 9:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SylarPwnz1 (anonymous) says...
To answer your question, charleston, I am the author of the poem. I wrote it the day that I found out about Cassidy. Her mother is a dear friend of mine and I knew Cassidy enough to know that she had an extremely bright future ahead of her. I don't know that I've ever met such a sweet girl. She will be missed not only by those close to her but by the world upon which she was destined to leave a mark.
October 31, 2007 at 10:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SparkyWaller (anonymous) says...
We'll ALL Miss Ya All of The Fort & Your Other Schools Everyone In Them That Knew You We Will ALL Miss Ya
November 11, 2007 at 4:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
Thank you for your interest in this story. The comment thread for this article has been closed.
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
