Local News - November 2002

Shootings follow rocky relationship in family

LHS students and teachers mourn lost of ‘model’ student

By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer

November 4, 2002 - Lincolnton High School students and teachers are mourning the loss of Amanda Barnhardt, a ninth-grader, who Associate Superintendent of Schools Ed Hatley called a “model student.”

The 14-year-old Lincolnton High School student lost her life Friday while trying to save the lives of her mother and younger brother.

“She was a beautiful girl,” said neighbor Anna Lisa Johannessen, whose daughter was a good friend of Amanda’s.

Hatley said she was very bright and took high-level courses.

Two of Amanda’s friends sat on the porch of Amanda’s boyfriend’s house, across the street from where she was shot Friday morning.

“It was just yesterday I talked to her,” 14-year-old Lindsey Campbell said.

Almir Hyseni, 15, said some of Amanda’s friends who were aware of the shooting were taken to the media center at LHS and offered counseling that morning.

A school-wide announcement had not been made because police had not officially released the names of the victims. Some teachers told their classes, Hyseni said.

“The whole school was mute,” he said.

Counselors and members of the ministry were brought in for students to talk to.

“Teachers were crying,” Hyseni said, “because they couldn’t hold it in.”

At the LHS football game Friday night, a long banner with the words “In Memory of Amanda” hung behind the cheerleaders.

Many of her friends wrote her name on their headbands and hats. LHS students wore baby blue clothes and the cheerleaders wore baby blue wrist bands — baby blue was Amanda’s favorite color.

Teachers at LHS will remember Amanda fondly.

“She never had a down day,” said science teacher Kathy Bosiak. “She wanted to know everything.”

Butch Richardson, who coached Amanda on the volleyball team, said she was full of energy and dedicated.

“She always thought of her teammates before she thought of herself,” Richardson said. He recalled one match when Amanda pulled herself out of the game because she felt like she was hurting the team.

Her friends remember her selflessness, especially with her brother, Bobby.

“She would do anything for her brother,” Campbell said. “They had to look out for each other — they were tied at the hip.”

Police at the scene called Amanda a “hero.”

As soon as her stepfather, Kevin Morrison, started firing his gun into their apartment, Amanda pushed Bobby down a back stairwell and shut the door behind him.

She could have left, but she didn’t. Instead, she went back to help her mother.

And while Amanda’s friends, teachers and family will never again see her play volleyball,  walk down the halls of LHS or help her brother after school, they said they will remember.

They will remember her for what she was — a hero.

“We just want people to know that she was going to be something great,” Hyseni said.

“She was heroic.”

Funeral services for Amanda and Gael Morrison are at 2 p.m. Wednesday at New Vision Ministries.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Warlick Funeral Home.

Memorials may be sent to the Trust Fund for Bobby Barnhardt, 212 Big John Road, Elgin, SC 29045

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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