The last words Junior Kasyjen Richardson’s brother said to him was when he was getting off the bus before winter break, “Alright brother, see you after break!” He said. Unfortunately, Kas never saw his brother again.
“He was like, the happiest of the camp. He kept everybody in law, doing good. He was goofy… nobody could be mad around him or nothing.” said Junior Kasyjen “Kas” Richardson
In order to remember him, Kas wears a three inch diameter photo of his brother in a circle pendant surrounded by diamonds on a gold chain, around his neck.
The pendant is worn outside of his clothing and is hard to miss. Although it looks like a part of their outfit, the pendant is actually an important memorial and, for some students, a charm meant to bring good things to the owner.
Kas is one of several dozen students at Tosa West who wears a memorial pendant.
Experiencing the death of an important person can be a difficult experience for students to process.
“It’ll (grief) take you through some stuff. You’ll be happy one minute, next minute, you will lose it all, be ready to risk it all. It’s constantly how you go through some stuff for yourself. You’re just missing those moments where that person helped you and now you can’t talk to them.” said Richardson.
Research shows that talking and sharing stories about a loved one who has died is an important part of the grieving process. A 2024 study from Aging and Mental Health journal says that reminiscing about a loved one can intensify grief in some cases, it helps personal growth and helps maintain emotional connections, especially when these memories are shared with others.
The memorial pendants are a key way to share and remember loved ones and help people get through the grieving process.
“So it’s like having them taken, you can’t do that. You gotta have it out here. Everybody can see it constantly asking you all who is that, you know?” said Twitty-Montgomery.
Worn around the neck and outside of the clothing, the pendant is something that is easy to notice and prominently displayed.
“It’s a circle chain. It’s like a memorial. I wear it to keep my brother’s name alive, keep his face in everybody’s face, you know.” said Senior Damarius Twitty-Montgomery
According to students, the pendants serve a variety of purposes. They act as a way to remember a person who has passed and keep their presence alive.
“The point of it is to keep my people’s name alive, you know, like keep bringing the good thoughts to their name, even though they’re gone.” said Richardson.
Many students wear the memorial pendant as a way to increase their confidence and comfort.
“It’s like you got the person with you. Like a protector around your neck everywhere you go.” said Twitty-Montgomery.
The memorial pendants can be bought in person or online and cost between 100 and 200 dollars. Some of the pendants are surrounded by real diamonds that increase the cost.
“So if you want to get a real one, of course, with real diamonds, that means real prices. I went with Moissanite for about $200.” said Senior Breon Bateman.
The memorial pendants are an important way for students to visually share and engage with people about someone they have loved or someone who has been important in their lives.
“So it’s like having them taken, you can’t do that. You gotta have it out here. Everybody can see it constantly asking you all who is that, you know?” said Twitty-Montgomery.
