SUMMERSIDE - Alicia Silliker knows she has a special angel watching over her.
As the Margate teen walks on stage to accept her high school diploma and a long-list of awards that angel will be there.
"She taught me a lot," Alicia said about her late sister Brianna. "Whenever I was shy she would always be the person to say you have to get out there and get involved. This year, I really tried to do that."
On graduation night, scholarships will be awarded in Brianna's name. Graduates at Kensington Intermediate-Senior High School, wearing green and white ribbons with hearts at the centre, will stand in silence to remember the young woman who had an easy-going spirit and infectious smile.
"It's hard because she should be here," said Alicia, glancing at graduation pictures.
Last November, Brianna was pulling out of her driveway when the car she was driving collided with a truck. The 16-year-old was killed.
After Brianna's death, Alicia could still feel the unique bond the twins shared.
"The day after she died, it was a Friday night. I was lying in bed and, right before I went to sleep, I was praying to her. I don't know if it was the wind but I could hear 'I'm here,'" said Alicia, in tears. "It was really faint. Even if it really wasn't her it was comforting at the time."
Losing her best friend and closest confidant was difficult.
"It wasn't as hard at the beginning, but it has gotten harder now."
Hard is not having Brianna to share in those special milestones during this, their graduation year.
"Prom was really hard," said Alicia. "A couple of weeks before Brianna died we were fighting over a dress we wanted. We both found it at different times and went to show each other and it was the same dress. It was really kind of funny looking back on that because I eventually gave up the dress to her."
Brianna, well liked and outgoing, was feisty and loud, who always tried to bring her more reserved, shy twin out of her shell.
"Our personalities were completely different, but we got along perfectly. She was good at math and physics . . . and I was good at English and history, so we would always help each other. We spent literally every day together."
Moving on from Brianna's death hasn't been easy, but something Alicia had to do.
"It makes me think about how short life really can be and that I have to take advantage of it and do everything I can," said a tearful Alicia. "I just wanted to keep going. I didn't want to stop especially since we got so involved."
As student council president, she kept spirits up at KISH. She worked hard through the rest of the semester, attended early-morning band practices, co-chaired planning for Relay for Life, attended SADD meetings, played basketball and continued peer tutoring.
For Alicia, life simply went on.
"You just have to keep going."
Alicia eased into a routine by second semester. With the pain of losing her sister still fresh, she remained focused on her goals.
She spearheaded a Plan Not to Tan campaign leading up to prom that received national attention. The fundraising goal for Relay for Life was exceeded by almost $20,000.
And, out of great grief came some good, thanks, in part to Brianna.
Alicia has just received the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award. To apply she had to write about something she overcame to reach her goals.
"I talked about Brianna. It was hard to do but I'm glad I did it. It got out some of the emotions," she said, wiping away tears. "I wouldn't have gotten this scholarship without her."
The $28,000 scholarship, coupled with several others, will pay for university. Alicia is attending St. Thomas University, with plans to get her bachelor of arts then her bachelor of education.
"I kind of always wanted to be a teacher. It's been my only plan for a while."
Alicia worries about leaving parents, Wade and Krista. They are her role models.
"They are really strong people. They really handled this year really well."
She's excited to start the next chapter her life. At STU, Alicia plans to get involved in student union and Relay for Life and make new friends.
For now, her remaining free time is spent with friends.
Always in their thoughts is Brianna.
"It's really hard not to think about her," said Alicia.
She'll pick up her grad gown a few days early and visit Brianna's grave. Photos will be taken and tears shed, as she reflects on what's been a life-changing and often difficult year.
As she accepts her diploma Thursday night, Brianna will be with her in spirit.
"She would be really happy for me and proud."
Some of Alicia's achievements in 2011
$2,000 Scholars Award - entrance scholarship to St. Thomas University
$12,000 Leadership Scholarship awarded by St. Thomas University
$1,000 200 Wing Summerside Air Force Association of Canada Bursary
$28,000 Terry Fox Humanitarian Award
$500 Community Service Bursary for accumulated volunteers hours
Alysha Toombs Spirit Award (voted by band members)
Music Teacher Recognition Award (chosen by band members)
PEISAA Student Athlete Medal of Achievement (over 85 per cent average and athletic school team participation)
Gold Medal of Achievement (extracurricular activities and over 85 per cent average)
KISH Band Most Dedicated Member
KISH Student Council Outstanding Contribution Award
Certificate of Achievement Student Police
Certificate of Achievement KISH SADD Program
Certificate of Achievement Peer Tutoring
