(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs community came together on Saturday, August 3, to remember the life of a young lady who was the bright spot in the lives of those who knew her, and to raise money for the memorial scholarship created in her name.

“If you ever met Riley, she always had a smile on her face,” said Courtenay Whitelaw, Riley’s mother. “She was always Smiley Riley because you never didn’t see her with a smile on her face. even if she was having a bad day, she still had a smile on her face.”

The event featured music, finger foods, and activities honoring Riley and her passion for the arts. These included a “Paint a Pot or Rock” station where guests of all ages expressed their creativity and a bath-salt-making station by Hunter’s Hope where participants mixed and matched fragrances.

All net proceeds from the event go towards the “Riley I Whitelaw Memorial” academic scholarships and art grants for high school students.

“I know that she would want us to do this,” said Whitelaw. “And she really… sent me almost like a message from the other side of basically, ‘Mom, you got to take care of my community.’ And I have chosen to do that in honor of her. And I know that she would want us to get up and get moving, and have joy in our life still, even when we’re brokenhearted.”

“I’m just thankful for the community that we have and that they can find good even in tragedy, and that we owe it to our kids to show them the positive. Even when something bad happens,” said Whitelaw.