Editor’s Note: The Graphic chose to refer to Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams as girls. While they all were over the age of 18, the Graphic chose to use the term girls because “our girls” is how the community has lovingly referred to them.
“I think that when you experience grief to this level, your values and your perception of life, it changes, and you can never be the same person you were once you go through something like this,” said Georgia Puckett, senior Alpha Phi member.
It has almost been a year since the Oct. 17 crash claimed the lives of four Pepperdine students – Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams. Those closest to the girls who are still on campus said their lives have never been the same since.
“Every corner of campus and every spot in Malibu was a reminder of the life we had with her and the life we lost,” wrote Mackenzie Thomas, Asha’s sorority little sister and senior Alpha Phi member, in a statement she shared with the Graphic.
The past year has been full of grief and healing for several of the girls’ friends. Many of them said they have found ways to honor their friends through daily routines, special items or music.
Charlie Robinson, Peyton’s sorority little sister and senior Alpha Phi member, said she has adopted her big’s tea routine.
“I started drinking tea, which I used to not like tea, but I’ll turn on a show or read a book and drink my tea. And I’m like, wait, this is such a Peyton thing to do,” Robinson said.
Hannah Allen, senior Alpha Phi member, said Deslyn was her best friend. The pair spent every day together, and Allen was the last person Deslyn talked to before the crash happened.
Memories of Deslyn can be seen all throughout Allen’s apartment. After the crash, Allen said Deslyn’s parents allowed her closest friends to have some of her things. Allen has two of Deslyn’s bedroom lamps, a majority of her wardrobe and uses her ottoman as a coffee table.
Some of Allen’s most cherished memories with Deslyn were the little moments when the two would sit on Allen’s balcony and talk about their lives and futures. The day after Deslyn died, Allen taped a postcard on the chair Deslyn would always sit in labeled “Deslyn’s Chair.”
“It’s just always been a thing where it’s her chair, and no one could sit in it other than me,” Allen said. “If she were here, she’d be sitting here.”
Many wear jewelry to remind them of their sisters. Puckett has one of Deslyn’s necklaces and emerald earrings for Asha’s birthstone. Allen wears a necklace with a ‘D’ on it, as well as Thomas who has a necklace with the letters ‘AW’ on it.
Thomas said she found her necklace on Lana Del Rey’s website, with the letters standing for the artist’s song “A&W,” which is supposed to stand for “American Whore.”
“It is so funny, because that was like nothing what Asha was like at all,” Thomas said. “But I feel like sometimes, just like wearing this necklace, it makes me feel like she’s closer.”
Music is a main source of comfort for Thomas to feel connected to Asha, she said. Asha was one of the biggest Taylor Swift fans and would always make Thomas listen to her songs, despite Thomas’ dislike of the artist at first.
Thomas said right before Asha died, she compiled a playlist of a bunch of Swift’s songs for Thomas to listen to and even gave Thomas a list as to why she added each individual song. Asha convinced Thomas to give the playlist a try, because although Thomas didn’t like the singer, Asha believed she could relate to the lyrics.
“Now, I make it a point every day to take some time to just listen to those songs. And when I do, I can feel her presence around me—bouncing, singing, and telling me, with all her joy, how amazing this music is. It’s like she’s still there, sharing the moments with me, her spirit alive in every lyric and melody,” Thomas wrote.
The friends also said they use pictures to remember their sisters daily. Whether they are in their apartments or their camera rolls, their friends said these images can serve as a source of comfort for them.
“I have a picture in my car of us two at formal together,” Alpha Phi President Hannah Schendel said of her and Niamh. “It’s a reminder of her.”
Schendel said every time she looks at the picture, she is reminded to drive safe and be grateful for the life she has.
As Oct. 17 approaches this year, there are many services of remembrance that will occur that day. Alpha Phi will have a private service, but will also have a flower bouquet and letter writing event before the University puts on their own service. Schendel said the City of Malibu is also planning to host a memorial service at the Ghost Tires Memorial site.
Other organizations will continue to honor Niamh, Peyton, Asha and Deslyn. Schendel said Malibu Moves is planning to honor the girls at an event, while Alpha Phi will continue to raise money in support of the Emily Shane Foundation.
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