Remember The Five Memorial

Remember The Five is a deeply moving memorial located on the grounds of Enterprise High School in Redding, California. It stands as a tribute to five young women—all senior girls at the high school—who tragically lost their lives in a car accident on September 28, 1968. This event profoundly impacted the Redding community, and the memorial serves as a lasting reminder of the importance of safe driving and the fragility of life. The story of that fateful day is etched in the collective memory of Redding. The five girls were en route to Susanville to support their school's football team at an away game against Lassen High. The driver of the vehicle, a 19-year-old friend, attempted to pass another vehicle at a high speed. In doing so, he encountered an oncoming logging truck and, in an attempt to avoid a collision, overcorrected, causing the car to veer into the truck's path. The resulting accident claimed the lives of all five girls, leaving an indelible scar on the town. The memorial is more than just a monument; it's a place of reflection, education, and community engagement. The rebuilt memorial centerpiece is surrounded by landscaping, shade structures, and memorial bricks, creating a serene and contemplative space. It serves as a gathering place for students, faculty, and visitors, offering a quiet corner for remembrance and contemplation. The project to create and maintain Remember The Five is driven by a dedicated committee of alumni, community members, and school officials. Their goal is not only to honor the memory of the girls but also to promote a culture of safe driving among young people. The committee organizes events, programs, and classroom activities designed to educate students about the dangers of distracted driving, speeding, and other risky behaviors. The memorial site itself is thoughtfully designed to encourage reflection and learning. Informative displays recount the story of the accident and highlight the importance of responsible decision-making behind the wheel. The memorial bricks, purchased by community members, bear the names of loved ones and messages of support, creating a tangible connection to the past and a commitment to the future. Visiting Remember The Five offers a unique opportunity to connect with the history of Redding and to understand the enduring impact of this tragic event. It's a chance to honor the lives of the five girls and to support the ongoing efforts to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. The memorial is a testament to the resilience of the community and its dedication to creating a safer environment for young drivers. As you walk through the memorial, take time to read the inscriptions on the bricks, to reflect on the stories of the girls, and to consider the importance of making responsible choices when driving. The site is a powerful reminder that every decision behind the wheel has the potential to save or take a life. Remember The Five is not just a place to remember the past; it's a place to inspire a safer future. By visiting the memorial, you can contribute to the ongoing efforts to promote safe driving practices and to honor the memory of five young women whose lives were cut short too soon. The memorial is located at Enterprise High School, which also houses Enterprise Park and Enterprise High School Small Gym. The school is located near The Fly Shop, a shop for fly fishing equipment. The school is also located near Churn Creek Village Apartments, and is located on Churn Creek Road. The school is also located near Churn Creek Road at Cypress Ave stop, and Churn Creek Rd at Maraglia St stop. The Remember The Five memorial was dedicated on September 29, 2025. Over 100 people attended the event, which included a zoom connection allowing the audience to hear Bill Robert's words from Oregon. Other speakers included Scott Roberts speaking on behalf of all the families, Principal Ryan Johnson and Tonya Waterman representing EHS, architect and EHS alum Deven Carter, Debbi Wilke Hill representing the class of 1969, and Steve Main from the Remember the 5 committee. It was a remarkable and wonderful evening. Phase 2 of the project has begun! It will be primarily sponsored by local merchants. The community passed a bond in November which will allow EHS even more improvements. Students are enjoying the shade structures which are now in place. Landscaping in the memorial area will include the memorial bricks, furniture and shrubbery. It is designed to be a gathering place for students. We encourage you to order a memorial brick in support of the project. We are marketing them to all seniors at EHS this year. Order forms are available on the website. It's a great way to be part of the project.