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TICONDEROGA — One year after her death at the hands of a drunken driver, Shannon Renee James was mourned by dozens of community residents in Ticonderoga's Bicentennial Park.
The 16-year-old Ticonderoga High School junior was a passenger in a car that went out of control at more than 100 mph April 21, 2008.
Her father, William James, stood in the park's gazebo and talked to those gathered at a candlelight vigil Tuesday night.
"Your life can change in a split second," he said, as many of those around him hugged each other, holding candles as darkness fell.
"You have no idea how much it means to me that you are here. It means the world to us."
Mr. James and his wife, Naomi, stood at the front of the crowd during 16 minutes of silence for Shannon — one for each year of her life.
"I hope this community will never have to come together again for this reason," Mr. James said.
Even with Shannon's death and the deaths of other young crash victims, people still hold underage drinking parties in the area, he said.
"It boggles my mind that kids still talk about going out and getting trashed."
Dustin St. Andrews, 17, of Putnam admitted he was drunk and on drugs when he wrecked a stolen car on Route 22 between Putnam and Ticonderoga. The crash killed Shannon and Michaella Lopes, 16, of Bakersfield, Vt.
St. Andrews pleaded guilty to felony first-degree vehicular manslaughter and is serving 2½ to 7½ years in state prison.
For their roles in the party, Dustin's mother, Kellie St. Andrews, 40, was convicted of misdemeanor unlawfully dealing with a child and endangering the welfare of a child, and his father, Jimmy Joe St. Andrews, 41, of one misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child.
Both are free on bail while they appeal the convictions.
As the vigil in the park began, Deacon Elliot Shaw of St. Mary's Church in Ticonderoga led the crowd in prayer.
"When a tragedy like this occurs in our midst, God is sad," Shaw said. "This is a time for our community to come together. We will be healed."
He urged everyone to learn from the tragedy.
"We cannot give our children any better gift than faith and love."
Sheri Osier and her daughter, Kristen Crowe, a classmate of Shannon's, organized the vigil.
"I did this to honor Shannon's memory," Osier said. "She was a super-good kid."
Ticonderoga Town Supervisor Robert C. Dedrick, a retired teacher, knew Shannon from school.
"There are people who are going to be hurting the rest of their lives," Dedrick said. "When we lose someone like this, especially a young adult, it crushes everyone."
Mr. James said Shannon went to a party she hadn't told them about.
"We thought she was at a friend's house. She shouldn't have been there. She made a mistake. The biggest mistake was getting in that car. But she shouldn't have lost her life over it."
Shannon was making plans as the school year drew to a close.
"She had her prom coming up. She was excited about the environmental camp she was going to."
Since his daughter's death, Mr. James has worked to raise awareness about underage drinking and to strengthen laws against providing alcohol to minors.
"If parents are not being responsible adults, we should make it so risky for them they could go to jail. If her death can save some other children, something good can come out of this whole mess."
Mr. James said Shannon's memory will always be with them.
"We think about her every single day, non-stop. She had a beautiful spirit. People adored her."
E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com
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