Belle Vernon Area community gathers to remember 6-year-old Aria Woznick

Aria Woznick would have loved the spotlight that her family, friends, teachers and classmates shined upon the 6-year-old North Belle Vernon girl Wednesday.

A community in mourning gathered en masse to remember the child described as a precocious kindergartener who loved life and embraced everyone she met.

“I really think she would have loved how many people showed up for her because the attention,” said her mother, Amanda Woznick, dressed in her young daughter’s favorite color, purple. “There was one thing that girl loved, she wanted to be in the spotlight, and she made sure she was. She was our firecracker, she was my little baby.”

Aria was killed Feb. 24 when she was struck by a car on Fayette Street as she crossed the street en route to her bus stop with her two older siblings.

Days later, the community continued to struggle with the unthinkable loss.

More than 300 family, friends, teachers and fellow students filled seats in the Belle Vernon Area High School auditorium for the hourlong service to share memories and offer comfort. Aria’s flower-draped, brown casket sat flanked in front of the raised stage, sandwiched between poster boards depicting moments from her short life.

“She will always be with us because she loved and love never ends,” said the Rev. Bobbie Hineline of the Latrobe United Church of Christ.

Belle Vernon school officials volunteered use of high school for the funeral.

“It is difficult to separate feelings and emotions between the school and the community. As the school celebrates, so does the community. And as the community grieves, so does the school district. The loss of Aria is an example of how grief encompasses the school and community together,” said Belle Vernon Area Superintendent Ken Williams.

“This is a shining example of how the entire BVA community and district focus on taking care of one another. We will continue to grieve alongside the family and will never forget Aria’s spirit, personality and beautiful smile,” Williams said.

Kindergarten teacher Catherine Lutes, one of a handful of speakers during the funeral, said she watched Aria blossom and grow into a confident student.

“Aria was a kind and sweet friend to every classmate. She had a smile that could light up a room and a giggle that was nothing sort of adorable. We couldn’t walk down any hallway without Aria seeing someone she had to say hi to,” Lutes said.

Hineline told a story about a Woznick family canoeing trip two summers ago on the Monongahela River in which Aria bounced, excitedly swam and overwhelmingly enjoyed herself in the water.

”I recommend you go down to the river and spew out all the hurt, the pain and sorrow and loss. You can curse God, throw rocks, do anything you need to do in that river. And notice that river is bigger than you and that river is flowing, it is moving.

“Say anything you want to to God and listen and listen to what God says to you. Better yet listen to what Aria would want say to you. There is love. Aria loves you. There is peace and let that come in. Aria is still singing to us,” Hineline said.