Community A Sea Of Purple As They Remember Jessica

WESTMINSTER, Colo. (CBS4)- It was wave after wave of purple on Thursday in the halls and campus at Westminster High School as students showed their support for Jessica Ridgeway.

Purple was the 10-year-old's favorite color. The photo of the students in tribute to Jessica will be sent to her family as a show of support from the community. The students also observed a moment of silence in her memory.

Jessica was last seen alive walking down a quiet street in her modest Westminster neighborhood Oct. 5. Her body was found Oct. 10 in Pattridge Open Space Park in Arvada.

Students said they were shocked by her murder and wanted to reach out to her family.

"A lot of us were approached by kids and people in the community wanting to do something for the Ridgeway family," said Westminster High School Principal Michael Lynch.

"A lot of us didn't know her but it's in our neighborhood and it does affect us. A lot of people have little brothers and little sisters. A lot of us reflected on what's around us and makes us appreciate things because they could not be here the next day," said senior Erica Frasier.

The students not only donned purple but donated money to provide meals to the investigators who have worked tirelessly on the case.

"I think it's a good way to show our support," said senior Brandon Trykowski.

"It's a terrible, tragic situation and so everyone wants to show support for all the people who know her and for her family and for all the cops and all the people that were searching for her," said freshman Fatima Stockham.

The students are hoping to make a positive impact on the community that is still grieving.

"We have great kids here at Westminster High School who are a very close student body with big hearts," said Westminster High School Athletic Director Robert Cuevas.

"I know that if it happened to one of us we would want that support from our community and from our school and I think it's a good and positive way to say we're here for you and that you find justice and that you can get that peace in your heart," said senior Csih Guadarrama.