Community gathers to remember Aria Woznick

By Rich Cholodofsky
Trib Total Media
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.

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