The summer teams of Pella High School took a pause during their doubleheaders on Friday night against Norwalk to remember a classmate who lost a lifelong battle with disease this week.

Both Pella’s varsity baseball and softball teams held a moment of silence between games and wore pink and purple to honor the life of Stella Turnbull, who died at the age of 18 following complications stemming from Spinal Muscular Atrophy on Thursday.

According to Science Teacher and Family Friend Susan Lyons, Turnbull overcame that adversity to not only graduate high school, but to teach others about using the gifts they had to the best of their abilities. Lyons, the color commentator for the Pella Softball games on 92.1 KRLS and Pella Dutch Live, shared comments before the game two broadcast (audio below):

Moments of silence were held between games to honor her life and impact on the athletes competing on Friday and the broader Pella Community (both audio versions below):

Learn more about funeral services for Turnbull here. Friends and family who attend those events are encouraged to wear pink and purple.

KNIA/KRLS had a feature about Stella’s cheerleading journey during the 2021 season. Listen here.