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Updated 06/01/2012 06:31 PM

Hannibal High School honors former student, Trooper Amanda Anna

After Trooper Amanda Anna's funeral wrapped up in North Syracuse, her funeral procession made its way to a familiar spot in her life. Our Candace Hopkins was at her alma mater, Hannibal High School, for a touching tribute.

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HANNIBAL, N.Y. -- It was a simple, but kind, tribute. Hannibal High School's students, staff and even some community members, lined Cayuga Street as the body of the former Hannibal student, Amanda Anna, passed by.

Staff says witnessing the procession was an important opportunity for reflection by the students.

"To see one of their own local alumni be as successful as she was and be as courageous as she was, is a learning experience for them," said Interim Superintendent Pete Backus.

Trooper Anna attended Hannibal High School starting as a junior, after years of homeschooling, but staff says it was as if she had always been a part of the group.

"This place is such a tight knit community, you talk about bleeding purple and she transferred in and was just accepted, instant acceptance," said psychology teacher Victor Licatese.

Trooper Anna, known then by her maiden name, Amanda Sweeney, became an instant leader, both on the basketball court and off.

"It wasn't just that she was a scholar, she was an athlete, she was in my college psych class, she took the harder courses and everybody loved her. You never saw Amanda involved in the drama and pettiness of high school," said Licatese.

Although these students never knew Amanda, her legacy as a student leader and later, a dedicated community servant, lives on.

"Someone who makes an impact on this planet like that can't help but be missed," said Licatese.

The procession continued on to Springbrook Cemetery in Sterling, where Amanda Anna was laid to rest.