Honoring Ramsie: 1,800 pack gym to remember North Vermilion senior

Ramsie Baumgardner was only on this Earth for 18 years. But, based on the attendance at her vigil on Monday night, she touched many people.
Family, friends, and the community gathered to remember the life of the 18-year-old North Vermilion senior at the North Vermilion High School gym. There were around 1,800 people in attendance.
Baumgarder was killed Saturday night in a two-car accident on La. 167, north of Abbeville. Vincent Funeral Home in Abbeville is handling funeral arrangements. She is being buried today.
At the vigil, classmates, teachers and NV Principal Denise Lotief spoke about what they remembered about Baumgardner.
“Right now, there are no words that can describe the feelings of our family,” said Lotief about the school hurting due to the loss of Ramsie. “We are truly missing someone we love. But, tonight, we are here to celebrate Ramsie. We want to celebrate her fun and free-spirited nature.”
North Vermilion teacher Shontelle Hebert said she first met Ramsey when she was a freshman. Ramsie told Shontelle she wanted to be on the yearbook staff as a freshman. Eventually, she landed on the yearbook staff.
“Ramsey got to school full of speed and stayed like that the entire day,” said Shontelle. “What I remember about Ramsie? She would dig on my desk, and I was not too fond of that. She wanted food. I would also get random selfies on my cell phone.
“She would always stop and talk to me in the hall. I will miss her smile. She was a bright light around our school,” Hebert said.
Ethan Wiltz, her cousin, said he will miss his best friend. “She was a shining star to me. I can not believe that she is gone.”
Estelle Lebourgeois transferred to North Vermilion from Lafayette. One of the first students she became friends with was Ramsie.
“She was also so bubbly. She has made me laugh uncontrollably. If you ever had a chance to meet Ramsie, you knew she was too good for this world. She would light up every room she was in with her personality. She has taught so many people about life and how to live it. She has made her mark on me.”
Chemistry teacher Louis Boulet spoke about the first time she met Ramsie. She said Ramsie walked into her classroom, stuck our her hand, and introduced herself to Boulet.
“She had the brightest, confident smile,” said Boulet. “No matter who she sat with, she met a friend. She would never stop talking. But, then, she would tell me she was not talking while talking.”
Dr. Michael Norris, the high school minister for St. Alphonse Catholic Church, spoke highly about Ramsey.
“She sees people,” Dr. Norris told the student body. “She saw all of us. There was no one outside her radar. That is an amazing legacy.”
Ramsie is survived by her father, Brian Baumgardner and second mom, Kristi; mother and second dad, Ali and Clay Vincent.