Carmen Schentrup

She played violin and piano, sang a capella and liked country music. She read voraciously – everything from Shakespeare to science fiction – and enjoyed movies and theater. She liked shopping, particularly for shoes, and hanging out with her friends. Carmen Schentrup, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, crammed much into her life. She studied German before her family went on a summer vacation to Germany and she studied Latin. When her father told her to take it easy during senior year, she dropped orchestra but kept her six Advanced Placement courses. Carmen died seven days before her 17th birthday. She is survived by her parents, April and Philip Schentrup, older brother Robert and younger sister Evelyn.

April Schentrup wrote the following for the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

“Our beloved daughter, Carmen Schentrup, was taken from us on February 14, 2018. She was one of 17 victims of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Her life was cut too short. For the last year, we have tried to make sense of the senseless, and we have grieved with the other families.

“Carmen was silly, playful, and caring. She often made us laugh and was always looking to help others. She had wonderful friends, many of whom helped us in our time of need. She is deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

“Carmen was also a dedicated, straight-A student. She was accepted into the University of Florida Honors Program and as a University of Washington Purple and Gold Scholar. She was excited to begin college. The day after her tragic death, she received a letter informing her she was a National Merit Finalist.

“Carmen wanted to make the world a better place. She was determined to become a leading medical researcher and discover a cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). We truly believe that Carmen was going to change the world.

“Our family partnered with the ALS Association to honor Carmen’s dream and created the ‘Carmen Schentrup ALS Research Fund.’ All funds raised will go directly to the most promising ALS research. We hope that, with enough help from all of you, Carmen’s dream of a world freed from ALS can be achieved.

“To our dear Carmen, you are a bright, beautiful, young woman bursting into the world. You are an amazing daughter, sister, and friend. You fill our lives with loving memories that we will always cherish. You are a gift from God and into His arms you return. May His divine embrace now hug you so very tenderly where we cannot. We love and miss you dearly.”

Donations in Carmen’s memory can be made to ALSA.org/carmensdream.