Delaine Copenace remembered in Kenora, Ontario by classmates and teachers

Superior Morning8:07Beaver Brae High School: Remembering Delaine

Sharing stories. Making sympathy cards. We hear how students and staff at a Kenora high school are remembering Delaine Copenace

Students and teachers from Beaver Brae high school in Kenora, Ont., will form a processional Thursday in honour of their classmate, 16-year-old Delaine Copenace, whose remains were found Tuesday in Lake of the Woods.

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As a group they will walk from the school to Knox United Church, which had been the headquarters for the search for Delaine, who was reported missing to Ontario Provincial Police on Feb. 28.

At the church, they will gather with the Copenace family, and express their condolences, said Beaver Brae principal Tracey Benoit.

"I think it's important that we head down and we be together," she said, adding the students had requested the opportunity to show their support, and sympathy.

They are planning to release balloons in the school colours of purple and white, and "they want to bring down the banners, and the cards and they also talked about bringing flowers to the family."

Many of the students are still in shock over the news that one of their peers disappeared and was found dead, said Benoit.

"It was very difficult to see the look on their faces when they found out," she said.

Since then, students have been gathering to hold smudging ceremonies, to cry, and to share stories of Delaine and "her warm smile and kind heart", said Benoit.

The OPP investigation is continuing and police would not say whether foul play is suspected. A post mortem examination is to be conducted in Toronto. 

No date has yet been set for a funeral or memorial service for Copenace.