<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">When 13-year-old Recka Louis Williams II died earlier this year, he left behind heartbroken family members, friends, schoolmates and teachers. Many of them gathered Tuesday on what would have been his 14th birthday to dedicate a memorial in his memory and to recall special times with a boy who was one of the top students in the seventh grade at Ray D. Molo Middle School.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“They say time heals all, but in this situation I don’t know how true that is,” said one of Recka’s teachers, Terence Cahee, as he struggled to keep his composure. “People always tell you that you shouldn’t have favorites, but Recka was just so full of life and energy. Simply put, he’s irreplaceable.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Stephanie Batchan, Recka’s mother, sobbed softly throughout the event as students, teachers, coaches, family and others recalled their memories of her son. Several dignitaries, including Mayor Randy Roach, were in attendance.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Before Recka died on June 29 after collapsing while at his home, he was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, where he served as a Junior Knight and an altar server. He played basketball and football and was a member of the student council at his school. He was also a member of the Beta Club and the Black History Stomp Team.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">A lifelong resident of Lake Charles, Recka was born Dec. 6, 2002, to Stephanie Batchan and Recka L. Williams Sr. He had a sister, Ciara Batchan, and a brother, Ryan Lee Williams.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Danielle Chretien-Lambert, a teacher at Molo and an organizer of the event, said the school recently held a dance where more than $1,500 was raised for a memorial stone, which was dedicated and placed at the school Tuesday after Batchan helped to cut the ribbon. The stone, which has Recka’s photo, is inscribed: “Every day, every place, every thought is connected to you, beautiful boy. Like sand dancing in the sunlight, you drifted through our lives captivating us and giving joy to every one you touched.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">School Principal Shonna Anderson said, “Recka was one of our honor students, and he was awesome in both academics and in behavior. We have a saying now at Molo: ‘Do it for Recka.’ Kids really looked up to him and even though he is no longer with us our students still look up to him.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">After the ceremony, with tears running down her face, Batchan said the event meant the world to her. “I always knew that my son was special and that he had all of these great qualities, but to hear others say it too is something that I will hold close to my heart forever,” she said. “He was loved so much, and it’s still just so hard to not have him here with us.”</span><p>No XMP or IPTC Header Found</p>Rick Hickman