Lanterns lit up the sky near Pecatonica Middle School. It was part of a tribute to a young stand-out athlete, Devin Buss who died from a brain tumor.
More than 100 people gathered to mark Devin's 16th birthday. "Devon was special. He touched all these people's lives, my life and everyone else. So sincere for the time he was here. It was cut way to short," Devin's former coach, Eric Elliott.
The group sent dozens of paper lanterns into the sky in Devin's honor. "He would have been sixteen, driving. That's a scary thought for mom but it's a good thought for us because us sixteen year old love to drive," says Devin's friend Dylan Paul.
"It's just a way to show him that we will never forget him and a way to celebrate down here, his life," says Devin's Sister, Kayla Buss.
"He was the athlete of the team. You always try to beat him at everything. You never could," says Paul.
May 15, 2007 the family learned the bad news. Doctors diagnosed Devin with an inoperable brain tumor. 10 months later, he was gone.
"Four years later, still like it was yesterday. We still deal. We still talk. We still miss him," says Elliot.
"It's very emotional and overwhelming but it's an awesome feeling knowing that such a small community and support our family at a time that's very difficult for us," says Kayla.
