Family petitioning for daughter's memorial page in yearbook after she took her own life

HOUSTON – She's beautiful and not at all bashful. She's fun-loving and fearless.

"I love how she always just made everybody happy," Hannah Hollis's older sister, Lauren, said.

Seventeen-year-old Hannah Hollis had such a big life ahead of her.

"She wanted to be a doctor. She was so smart," Lauren said.

She was about to graduate from high school, and was ready to become an Aggie. It's hard to believe this vibrant young woman would make the heartbreaking decision to end her life Sunday. 

"If she would've just known how much we loved her, she would've known it was a mistake," Hannah's other sister, Holleigh Hollis, said.

In a sweet gesture, Hannah's classmates at Pearland High School approached the yearbook staff about creating an "In Memoriam" page in honor of the teen. The family says, their request was denied.

"The teacher told her, you know, no we can't do that because of the way Hannah passed," Lauren said.

The sisters say they were told the problem was the way Hannah lost her life.

"This administration tells us that they won't make this page because they think that if children see it, then it will urge them to do the same thing, and I completely disagree with that," Holleigh said.

A petition, made in response, has gathered nearly 4,000 signatures.

The two sisters say Hannah had her struggles -- their mom died from cancer just three years ago. But they say no singular act should define how someone is remembered, and the page will serve as a helpline for other teens.

"We should bring light to this situation. When children take their own life, we need to help them. We need them to know that they leave their loved ones behind. They hurt others. We miss them. We don't want them to leave," Holleigh said.

Pearland ISD has responded to the petition in a statement saying:

"Pearland Independent School District was saddened to learn of the loss of a Pearland High School student this week.

"At this time, no decision has been made regarding the request for an 'In Memoriam' yearbook page.
We intend to discuss this with the family at the appropriate time.

"Pearland ISD offers its deepest sympathy to the student’s family and friends."

Hollis's funeral will be held Thursday morning.