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Friends remember Coffland twins at open house

[St. Charles East students (from left) Cameron Cooper, Melissa Martinez and Kylie Haupert look at photos of Brittany and Tiffany Coffland during a party in honor of what would have been their 18th birthday at the Baker Community Center in St. Charles. Brittany and Tiffany were killed by their father, Randall, March 10, 2017.] St. Charles East Principal Dr. Charlie Kyle said he knew both Coffland girls. "After a year like we had last year – losing two great students – it’s a good way to have some closure and remember the people that we lost,” Kyle said. “We miss them both. The student body misses them both as well. I wanted to pay my respects. It gives a lot of students who were connected to Brittany and Tiffany an opportunity to celebrate their lives." (Sandy Bressner)

[St. Charles East students (from left) Cameron Cooper, Melissa Martinez and Kylie Haupert look at photos of Brittany and Tiffany Coffland during a party in honor of what would have been their 18th birthday at the Baker Community Center in St. Charles. Brittany and Tiffany were killed by their father, Randall, March 10, 2017.] St. Charles East Principal Dr. Charlie Kyle said he knew both Coffland girls. "After a year like we had last year – losing two great students – it’s a good way to have some closure and remember the people that we lost,” Kyle said. “We miss them both. The student body misses them both as well. I wanted to pay my respects. It gives a lot of students who were connected to Brittany and Tiffany an opportunity to celebrate their lives." (Sandy Bressner)

[Friends of Brittany and Tiffany Coffland write notes in their memory during a party in honor of what would have been their 18th birthday on March 14 at the Baker Community Center in St. Charles. Brittany and Tiffany were killed by their father, Randall, March 10, 2017.] Larissa Nava, 17, a senior at St. Charles East High School, said she had Brittany and Tiffany in a couple of her classes last year. "We were classmates,” Nava said. “When this happened, I was as distraught as everyone else. … I felt the least I could do is pay my respects and be here to support her friends, her family. … Because they were just great kids.” (Sandy Bressner)

[Photos of Brittany and Tiffany Coffland were on display during a party in honor of what would have been their 18th birthday on March 14 at the Baker Community Center in St. Charles. Brittany and Tiffany were killed by their father, Randall, March 10, 2017.] Natalie Biancofiori, 16, a junior at St. Charles East, said she and Brittany Coffland met at cheer camp and became very close as cheerleaders and gymnasts. “I feel like I’m never going to forget the connection I shared with her,” Biancofiori said. “We were both gymnasts out of cheer team. … One of my favorite memories on our way to a cheer competition, we were sitting next to each other sharing our Nirvana songs. We were so happy together.” (Sandy Bressner)

[A party was hosted by Anjum Coffland in honor of what would have been her daughters' 18th birthday on March 14 at the Baker Community Center in St. Charles. Brittany and Tiffany Coffland were killed by their father, Randall, March 10, 2017.] Though she was closer to Brittany Coffland, Biancofiori said when she’d sleep over at the Coffland home, Tiffany was always welcoming to her. “Whenever I saw Tiffany in the hallway, she would smile at me,” Biancofiori said. (Sandy Bressner)

[Anjum Coffland (right) talks with St. Charles East Principal Dr. Charlie Kyle during a party in honor of what would have been Anjum's daughters' 18th birthday at the Baker Community Center in St. Charles. Brittany and Tiffany Coffland were killed by their father, Randall, March 10, 2017.] “I think this is the perfect way to remember them,” Biancofiori said of the birthday open house. “I don’t think a walk out, I don’t think a protest or anything is the way to remember them. We need to remember them how they reflected their lives in happiness and [in] gathering, not a walkout.” Attendees were encouraged to write notes to Tiffany and Brittany Coffland and many wrote of how they missed the girls. (Sandy Bressner)

[St. Charles East High School junior Jennie Hubbard writes a note in memory of Brittany and Tiffany Coffland during a party in honor of what would have been their 18th birthday on March 14 at the Baker Community Center in St. Charles. Brittany and Tiffany were killed by their father, Randall, March 10, 2017.] “Hey Brit and Tiff! I miss you girls so much! School isn’t the same without you guys,” was written on one note. Another stated, “I miss you more than words can describe. I hope you are holding it down up there for us.” And, “Hey Girls! Happy 18th birthday. It’s a big one. I’m missing the two of you every day.” Even the intricately decorated birthday cake declared, "We miss you." (Sandy Bressner)