Photo Gallery: Samantha Nguyen Memorial

Vince and Karen Nguyen, center, and Dao Tran, the mother, father and grandmother of Samantha Nguyen, along with her friends Tristen Taber, left, Lexi Rae, and Alexa Tickenoff grieve during the dedication of a tree to honor Samantha at Sonora Elementary School on Friday, November 22. Samantha, who was a sixth grade student at the school, died in a boating accident earlier in the school year. The school also dedicated a book shelf and bench in Samantha's name. (Scott Smeltzer, Daily Pilot)

Vince and Karen Nguyen, center, and Dao Tran, the mother, father and grandmother of Samantha Nguyen, along with her friends Tristen Taber, left, Lexi Rae, and Alexa Tickenoff grieve during the dedication of a tree to honor Samantha at Sonora Elementary School on Friday, November 22. Samantha, who was a sixth grade student at the school, died in a boating accident earlier in the school year. The school also dedicated a book shelf and bench in Samantha’s name. (Scott Smeltzer, Daily Pilot)   (SCOTT SMELTZER / Daily Pilot)

Remembering Samantha

Tristen Taber, center, and Lexi Rae show Karen Nguyen a plaque dedicating a tree to Samantha Nguyen at Sonora Elementary School on Friday, November 22.  (SCOTT SMELTZER / Daily Pilot)

Remembering Samantha

Susie Farnsworth, a fifth grade teacher at Sonora Elementary School, comforts Lesly Marin, left, and Kayla Nguyen during a dedication ceremony of a book shelf, a bench and a tree to Samantha Nguyen at the school on Friday, November 22. (Scott Smeltzer, Daily Pilot)   (SCOTT SMELTZER / Daily Pilot)

Remembering Samantha

Friends of Samantha Nguyen spread purple glitter on a tree dedicated to her at Sonora Elementary School on Friday, November 22.  (SCOTT SMELTZER / Daily Pilot)

Remembering Samantha

Karen Nguyen prepares to throw a shovel full of dirt upon a tree dedicated to her daughter Samantha as her friends dust the tree with purple sparkles at Sonora Elementary School on Friday, November 22. (Scott Smeltzer, Daily Pilot)   (SCOTT SMELTZER / Daily Pilot)

Remembering Samantha

Vince Nguyen, left, and his daughter Samantha’s friends, watch as Karen Nguyen puts the first of several books on a bookshelf dedicated to Samantha in the library at Sonora Elementary School on Friday, November 22.  (SCOTT SMELTZER / Daily Pilot)

Remembering Samantha

Inscriptions from friends are written on the back of a book shelf dedicated to Samantha Nguyen at Sonora Elementary School on Friday, November 22.  (SCOTT SMELTZER / Daily Pilot)

Remembering Samantha

Friends of Samantha Nguyen grieve during a dedication of a tree to her at Sonora Elementary School on Friday, November 22.  (SCOTT SMELTZER / Daily Pilot)

Remembering Samantha

Sonora Elementary School Principal Christine Anderson, right, welcomes Karen Nguyen to the podium to say a few words about her daughter Samantha during a dedication of a book shelf, a bench and a tree to her on Friday, November 22.  (SCOTT SMELTZER / Daily Pilot)