The city of Selma dedicated a walking trail to the Selma High Band and to Alexis Hunter, an 18-year-old Selma High School student murdered in December.

Selma City Councilman Samuel Randolph, in hosting Saturday’s ceremony, said Hunter and the band were deserving of the honor. The walking trail is located on Franklin Street, behind Selma High School and near the area where the band rehearses and where Hunter was killed just before Christmas.

“I thought it be very important to name this walking trail after Alexis and the Selma High School Band,” Randolph said, referring how often members of the Selma High School Band had volunteered to help him complete community service acts and how Hunter would always be remembered for her bright smile and personality.

“Alexis was a humble child. She was such a sweet child,” Alexis’ mother, Joann Hunter, said as she wiped tears from her face. “We do think Alexis will always be loved, just like the baby [Jesus] who came into this world.”

Several Selma leaders were in attendance, including Selma Mayor George Evans.

“Alexis’s murder will not be in vain as she was a pillar of this community,” Selma City Council president Corey Bowie said during Saturday’s event.

Selma City School Board member Brenda Obomanu told the Hunter family to turn to prayer when times get hard and said Alexis’ death impacted the entire community.

“When one hurts, all of us hurt, because we are all Selma,” Obomanu said. “Things like this are going to be the things that are going to keep us going.”

During the ceremony, a group of Selma City School students performed a dance in remembrance of Alexis, a person Randolph said loved to dance.

Moments after the ceremony, Joann led a walk along the Alexis Hunter and Selma High Band Walking Trail.

After the ceremony, Joann expressed her appreciation to everyone who has helped the Hunter family bare the death of their loved one.

“Thank you from the Hunter family to the Selma and Dallas Community, surrounding counties and my LifePoint family,” Joann said after the ceremony.