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Classmates say goodbye Photo by Bob Pennell South Medford High School students, from left, Carly Johnson, Sarah Ennis and Rachel Stewart examine mementoes left by others at the site of a fatal car crash on Jacksonville Highway. Friends of crash victim recall her special personality By JESSICA SMITH I'm so sorry Ruth," reads a message spray-painted on the sidewalk at South Medford High School. The apology came from the girl who was the driver in an accident that killed her friend and classmate Ruth Anne Fernandez, a 16-year-old sophomore. "I'm always going to miss you," Johanna Dorris wrote. "I love you and I'll never forget you." The message, written in large, looping green letters, covered the sidewalk in front of "Spirit Rock" near the South Medford High School's student parking lot this week. It was one of many ways classmates said goodbye to Fernandez, a likeable girl who had a shining smile and spirit, friends said. "She had a golden smile because of those golden braces," said Megan Hurley, Fernandez's closest friend. "She loved life and she lived it to the fullest." Hurley was one of many students who left signs, cards, photos and flowers at a road-side memorial that sprang up this week at the leafless tree where Fernandez died March 23, after the pickup she was riding in veered off the road and struck the sturdy trunk. Those who knew Fernandez well said she was outgoing -- the type of girl no one could stay mad at. "She was such an amazing person. She was so vivacious," said fellow sophomore Molly Hutchinson, 16. "Every moment with her was fun." An all-school assembly today and a memorial service at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Applegate Christian Fellowship also are planned to remember Fernandez's life. Fernandez, who was active with the youth ministry at the Christian fellowship, also was a gifted artist who could make something out of nothing, said friend Cally Huey, 16. "All of us girls would joke about moving to Seattle and going to art school together, living together," Huey added. "She could just take scraps of stuff and turn it into something beautiful." Hurley and Huey were expected to speak at today's school assembly, something her friends wanted to do to introduce Fernandez to people who missed the opportunity to know her well. But even schoolmates who only knew Fernandez from the time they shared in class said she was a special person who made others feel comfortable. "She was the kind of person that sticks out in a whole crowd of people," said classmate Brandee Archer, 15. Most students interviewed said they were shocked and saddened by Fernandez's death, which happened during spring break. But the mood on campus Thursday seemed to celebrate the girl's life rather than mourn her death. "I totally have a peace about her death now," Hurley said. "I know she's in heaven and that makes me happy." Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA