The kick wall at West Hartford’s Hall High School was painted Sunday as a memorial to Melissa Joy Molin.

The kick wall at West Hartford’s Hall High School was painted Sunday as a tribute to Melissa Joy Molin, who died in a car accident in April. Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton

A group of Melissa Joy Molin’s friends gathered on Sunday at Hall High School to create a memorial to the young West Hartford woman who died in a single-car accident on an icy New Hampshire highway in early April.

With permission from the Hall administration, the group painted the kick wall behind the gym as a tribute to Molin, a 2012 Hall graduate. Molin was a senior at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, NH, and was set to graduate in May with a degree in psychology. She was reportedly returning from an internship when she lost control of her vehicle on I-89 about 5 miles from campus.

According to the Valley News, Molin was recognized at the college’s graduation on May 7 by Colby-Sawyer President Thomas C. Galligan, who observed a moment of silence and noted the presence of an empty chair. Rebecca Molin, who graduated from Northwest Catholic High School, accepted a diploma on her sister’s behalf.

Sunday’s memorial painting was organized by Cassidy Grinsell, Tess Cagenello, Katie Figgie, and Sarah Torosyan.

“They laughed and cried and remembered their wonderful friend Melissa,” said Katie Rose, a friend of the Molin family.

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The kick wall at West Hartford’s Hall High School was painted Sunday as a tribute to Melissa Joy Molin, who died in a car accident in April. Courtesy photo

A group of friends painted the kick wall at Hall High School in honor of Melissa Joy Molin. Courtesy photo