ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A helper, a gymnast, and a joy to be around. Those are words family and friends said best describe 9-year-old T’Yonna Major.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

She was shot and killed during Wednesday’s mass shooting. She’s one of five victims in all, and three who did not survive.

Today, students and staff at Pine Hills Elementary School hosted a vigil in honor of Major, releasing balloons and remembering their friend and classmate.

Happening tonight: Vigils planned for journalist, 9-year-old girl killed in Orange County shootings

People who attended the vigil said they hope Major’s tragic death brings much-needed change to the community.

Bishop Kelvin Cobaris said her parents were her biggest fans, and she felt the same about them.

READ: ‘A kind & beautiful soul’: Girl, 9, killed in Pine Hills shooting remembered for ‘infectious smile’

“Many of the students walked up to her parents and said, ‘You were her inspiration,’ and to hear students and teachers say that lets you know the type of home T’yonna was brought up in,” Cobaris said.

Cobaris said the family is not ready to speak publicly yet, and that Majors’ school has more planned to honor her in the near future.

READ: Suspect in Wednesday’s mass shooting pleads not guilty in first case, court documents show

VIDEO: ‘A kind & beautiful soul’: Girl, 9, killed in Pine Hills shooting remembered for ‘infectious smile’ ‘A kind & beautiful soul’: Girl, 9, killed in Pine Hills shooting remembered for ‘infectious smile’

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2023 Cox Media Group