Memorial service held for slain Montgomery High School student
A memorial service was held Sunday for Jayden Pienta, the 16-year-old who was stabbed to death March 1 following an altercation inside Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa.
Family members, friends and others packed the service, which began at 11 a.m. at the Eggen & Lance Mortuary, 1540 Mendocino Ave., in Santa Rosa.
“You’re never going to find another Jayden,” Tom Lenwell, Jayden’s stepfather said during the service, which was livestreamed on YouTube by the mortuary. “I’ve seen him without a smile on his face, but it usually had to do with food. He was a pretty picky eater,” he added to brief laughter.
“I’m never going to get to ... hang with him again. ... I’d like to say I”m not angry but I am. We love you Jayden!“
The memorial service was to be followed by a celebration of life at 2 p.m. at New Vintage Church, 3300 Sonoma Ave.
“Anyone who wants to come can come,” a Facebook post on the wall belonging to Jayden’s father, Travis Pienta, stated.
Grief counselors will be on site at 5 p.m. to provide services to anyone wishing to speak with them.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has also been established in the wake of Jayden Pienta’s death. As of Sunday, nearly $16,500 of a $20,000 goal had been raised in the days since the teen’s death. The campaign was initiated by Jason Windus, according to the GoFundMe website, who was identified as a friend of the family.
Jayden was fatally stabbed inside an art class during a fight with a 15-year-old freshman. Police continue to investigate the history of conflict between the students, which led to the attack. The other boy has been arrested and is charged with a number of offenses, including voluntary manslaughter.
Like a lot of middle school kids, recalled Rachel Lumberg, a behavioral specialist for the Rincon Valley United School District, who coached Jayden in flag football when he was in 7th and 8th grade, “Jayden had a tough veneer. But when you cracked it, he was just a sweet, goofball kid.”
Montgomery senior Harley Rodgers expressed concern that the public might mistake Jayden as “just some punk who went and jumped somebody, and that’s not who he was. It’s really not.”
Mourners during Sunday’s service described the 16-year-old junior as a “big gummy bear.”
“I loved Jayden. I loved his family ... from the beginning you all have always showed love -- that‘s the one thing I miss about Jayden, he was always such a giver,” his friend, Cruz, told those in attendance. “I love you Jayden and I’ll miss you. Watch over us in this ... hard time.”
Another mourner urged the young people who knew Jayden, particularly those who witnessed the incident that resulted in his death, to “please don’t hold on to that ... don’t let that be the last that you see of Jayden. ... Be strong for him. Be strong, please.”
Staff Writer Austin Murphy contributed to this report.