The weather was unsettled and dramatic on Saturday evening, with towering black clouds, patches of blue, sudden downpours and bursts of sunshine as family members, friends and classmates began to arrive at Sebastian’s lovely little Lake Vinca Park.
They had come to celebrate the life of 16-year-old Roylynn Scott, who was only days away from starting her junior year at Vero Beach High School when she fell to her untimely death in an unfinished, long-abandoned condominium project on the shore of the Indian River Lagoon. She and several school friends had gathered at the popular spot as the school year loomed.
Now, as the parking area began to fill, the rain intensified, and word was passed that the event had been moved to a nearby family home. There, the crowd soon overflowed the house, and, as the rain diminished, the decision was made to return to the lakeside park.
A gentle rain continued to fall, the soft sound a background for the low conversations. The lake’s surface reflected the colored sky.
Beneath the oak trees, family members, friends, neighbors and dozens of school pals stood about in small groups, forming a wide circle, many of them wearing purple, Roylynn’s favorite color.
Sharing tears and laughter, they described their friend as vivacious, goofy, kindhearted, sweet, friendly – someone always in good spirits.
Introducing herself as Roylynn’s best friend from childhood, Ayla Allen remembered her schoolmate as “kind and outgoing to everyone, even those she didn’t know, making everyone feel welcome.
“She was sweet. She put others before herself. She had a kind, loving heart,” Ayla said.
Among those who came to pay their respects and share the heartbreak that they, too, had felt, were members of Indian River County Fire Rescue, including three who responded the night of the accident.
Roylynn’s grandmother, Carole Melasi, said that Roylynn “walked here [to the park], every night, and would just sit. It was her Zen place.”
Melasi and others said that Roylynn loved animals, large and small, including insects. She wouldn’t even kill a spider. She’d catch it and set it free outside, a friend recalled.
On a table in the center of the circle were several white, ribboned boxes, and a bright flower wreath: red, pink, white and yellow, with roses, daisies and mums. Melasi greeted the 100 or so who had come to share the bittersweet moment and invited three girls – Roylynn’s “Besties” – to assist her.
Together they carefully untied the ribbons from around the white boxes and gently removed the tissue paper inside, releasing dozens of butterflies that fluttered out and took flight.
“Fly free,” said Melasi softly.
For a moment, there was no sound but the sound of the rain.
Then everyone was invited to remove a flower from the wreath and place it in the lake along with a special thought, memory or prayer for their friend.
All along the lake shore, the blossoms were set afloat among the water grasses. As the colorful blooms slowly bobbed away, the stormy weather relented and a rainbow appeared in the rain-washed sky.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
