Students remember 'the beautiful girl with the smile'

Intermountain Catholic

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Judge Memorial Catholic High School students pay tribute to Anastasia Brothers at a memorial service held in the school auditorium Feb. 14. Many students said they would never forget her. IC photo by Chris Young

SALT LAKE CITY — "Anastasia was the perfect example of inner and outer beauty," said her boyfriend Alex Price, a senior at Judge Memorial Catholic High School. "The first time I saw her was in the school cafeteria. She walked through the door with her best friend Ashley Thomas, and she had a glowing aura around her as if she was an angel. We spoke, and I was nervous because I thought she would not talk to me, but she was kind, which made her twice as beautiful."

Judge Memorial Catholic High School students gathered to grieve with Anastasia’s mother Margarita Brothers, her step-father Arthur Brothers, relatives, neighbors, and friends in the Judge Memorial auditorium Feb. 14, to say good-bye to Anastasia. She is also survived by her sisters, Z. Karina Brothers, who is in kindergarten at Our Lady of Lourdes School, Salt Lake City, and Ravonne (Ian) Ross.

Anastasia, 16, a junior at Judge Memorial, died late Feb. 9, after she lost control of her 2000 Hyundai and it rolled several times across the center median through the westbound lanes of Interstate 80 at 7300 West, according to the Highway Patrol. She was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car.

Alex, the only passenger in the car, was wearing a seat belt. He was flown to the University Hospital with minor injuries and released the next morning. At the memorial service, Alex said he wanted to talk about the accident but could not at this time.

Alex’s grandfather, Willie Price, director of the Parish Athletic Recreation Association (PARA), said his grandson tried to revive Anastasia by giving her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until paramedics arrived. Although it seemed to Alex like it took forever for help to arrive, witnesses who saw the accident called for help immediately.

Anastasia’s close friends referred to her as their Russian Princess. Anastasia was proud of being Russian. She was born in Vladivostok, Russia, Oct. 1, 1989. She immigrated to America with her mother five years ago and became a U. S. citizen. She attended Bryant Junior High School and then chose to go to Judge Memorial. It was not long before her cheerful attitude and ability to relate to everyone gained her a reputation as "the beautiful girl with the smile."

Anastasia’s father found an assignment she wrote for her religion class just three days before she died.

Anastasia wrote: "I am Russian. As a culture, Russians believe that when someone dies, they are still always going to be with you. Forty days after death, the spirit ascends to heaven. Before then, you have to have candies and the descendant person’s favorite food placed in front of their picture. I think that is actually really cute and it makes people feel like their loved ones are still there with them. I guess that could help guide those who are down, sad, and discouraged."

This was read by Utah State Senator Beverly Evans, a friend of the family who spent time with Anastasia at the Utah State Senate. Senator Evans said, "Anastasia loved observing the Legislature and seeing politics in action. Her keen mind allowed her to evaluate both sides of the issues and not accept anything at face value. Her maturity was way beyond her years. Her bubbly personality and contagious smile captivated all who knew her."

"We all liked spending time with Anastasia because she brought out the best in us. Her ability to relate to people of all ages was amazing. She taught us the importance of having concern for others," said Senator Evans. "She accepted everyone for who they are and never judged them. She taught us the value of compassionate service, hard work, and setting goals. Most importantly, she taught us the importance of unconditional love. We are all better people for having spent time with Anastasia."

At the memorial service, Alex said he remembers the time she told him she had been invited to run for Miss Teen Utah.

"I believe she would have won because she had more to offer than just her looks," said Alex. "She had intelligence, beauty, and a loving heart. She helped me through hard times. Whether it was in school or in sports, she was behind me 100 percent."

Alex said she was his first true love and would always have a special place in his heart and in the hearts of many others.

Mele Vaisima, a junior at Judge Memorial and a close friend, said it is hard to accept the fact she is gone.

"Ever since our freshman year, she would always push others to do their best," said Vaisima. "In doing so, she taught me that nothing was impossible if you have courage. Even though we were only friends for four years, it seems as though we had known each other forever. She would come up in the hall and hug me and smile to make my worries go away. Most of all, she was there for me when I needed someone to talk to and share my feelings."

Andrew Abraham, Judge Memorial senior and debate team captain, said Anastasia was the glue that held the debate team together. She was open minded and too nice to be aggressive.

"Her smile made you feel better when you were having a bad day," said Abraham. "I will never forget what she brought to Judge Memorial and to the debate team."

Mary Chris Ledbetter, a counselor at Judge Memorial, said she had a great talk with Anastasia the day she died. She was very motivated and was the type of person who, when faced with a challenge, never backed down. She was strong willed and had many friends outside of school. She was always looking out for all types of people. She did a lot more than many of us in her short life. Last summer she went to Costa Rica to do a teen service project and was looking forward to a service project in Alaska next summer.

The death of Anastasia has brought up old wounds in the death of Judge Memorial student Demi Candelaria, who died Dec. 2, 2003, of meningitis. Many of the students were friends with both girls. Ledbetter said although this is a hard time for the students, they always amaze her because they are so resilient, strong, and really come together to support each other. It is unfortunate they have to go through this twice, but fortunately they know what to expect and what they need to do to mourn the death of Anastasia.