Corona del Sol High School student loses battle with leukemia

Ridge Vanderbur was a student at Corona Del Sol High School in Tempe. He was battling Leukemia but passed away over the weekend.

His fellow students remembered their classmate in an emotional ceremony Monday.

Friends say that Ridge was a compassionate, funny, and talented man, and they gathered early Monday to fill the sky with color to celebrate Vanderbur's life.

"He was a great kid, always smiling, always happy, and we all really loved him," said Katelyn Stys.

Vandeburg was diagnosed last Summer with Leukemia. The 18-year-old Senior played volleyball and waged a fierce battle with the help of family and friends, all traveling the journey with him.

"Many of the students are saying and have said, (that) since Ridge passed that he brought this community together, it was kids, not just on Corona's campus, but from all around our district who have rallied around him," said Jill Hanks, with the Tempe Union High School District.

In February, Corona's basketball team shaved their heads when Ridge shaved his before chemotherapy.

Saturday night at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale Ridge lost his battle with cancer. His friends say they will carry on for him.

Messages of love on balloons were sent with the wind and prayer for Ridge Venderbur.

His time here was fleeting, but friends say Ridge touched many lives as he fought for his.

"People saw how he was fighting, and they definitely wanted to do things to make their life better, or other people's lives better. It didn't end the way we wanted, but some good things came of it, definitely," said Alex Blasco.