Flames flickered and were passed from one candle to another Monday night as hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil at HISD’s Yates High School to honor the life of George Floyd, a Yates High School alumnus.

Hosted by the Jack Yates High School National Alumni Association, the event, held on the Yates High School football field, was attended by local dignitaries, family, and friends of the Third Ward native, who was known as an accomplished athlete and religious community leader.

“The past several weeks has been very painful. When I watched that video, I saw my students,” Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said during the service. “But we will continue to move forward as a community and as a district.”

Watch a livestream of the vigil at Yates High School

Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody on May 25. His death has sparked protests and inspired a movement of change geared towards racial equity and equality across the world, including in HISD.

“We will honor the life of George Floyd, we will honor his family, and we will continue to honor every child that we serve,” Lathan said. “We will ensure that our staff members, starting with the board, all the way down are trained in how to work with children, especially children of color, and how to meet their needs.”

A scholarship fund in Floyd’s name, which includes a $5,000 donation from Comcast, has been established for Yates High School seniors who hope to study mass communications in college. For more information on the scholarship, as well as how to donate, visit JackYatesAlumni.com.