On September 8, Brevard High School traveled to Fletcher to play against Veritas Christian Academy in a very special soccer game -- one that honored Jessie Garren, who died September 8, 2008 of a rare form of cancer.  Jessie was a senior at Brevard and her brother, Robert, was a freshman, and soccer player, at Veritas.  The two schools played each other on the night Jessie passed away, and at this year’s game her life was remembered.    

    Throughout Jessie’s 2-year battle with cancer, she showed courage and optimism and unabashedly lived her life for God.  She served as a positive influence for everyone, of all ages, who came in contact with her.  She was always mindful that God had a “greater plan for her life” and lived life to its fullest, glorifying the Lord every day.     

     In this year’s game dedicated to Jessica’s memory, her brother Robert Garren, now a sophomore at Veritas, again played for the Veritas team as goalie.  Although the game was rained out just minutes into the second half and the score was badly one-sided, it was not the weather or really even the game that brought everyone to the field.  It was the memory of a very special young lady who touched the lives of so many.

     To learn more about Jessie and her faith, you can watch her testimony at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwVT7ITjA-8 .

Jessie Garren