First Services for Va. Tech Victims in D.C. Area

CHANTILLY, Va. -- The first memorial services in the D.C. area for two of the Virginia Tech shooting victims took place Saturday.

Friends and family gathered to remember and say goodbye to Reema Samaha, who attended the same high school as shooter Seung-Hui Cho, as did another of his victims.

More than 1,800 people gathered at St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Chantilly, where Samaha attended elementary school, to remember a life that many said was much too short.

A memorial service for Virginia Tech shooting victim Reema Samaha was more a celebration of her smile, grace and poise, and her love of movement.

The program for the service had Samaha's picture on the front. She is pretty, smiling and looks very much like a happy young woman who had her whole life ahead of her.

Samaha's friends from Westfield High School remembered her as a "shining star" who did theater performances and belly dancing at talent shows.

Mona Samaha said her daughter was the family's prima ballerina. A cousin said the 18-year-old could take any tense situation and lighten the mood.

Several Eastern Right religious clerics led the crowd in prayers, chants and hymns during a 40-minute service.

Afterward, friends and family gathered outside to share memories of a young woman many described as a wonderful person who cared about everyone.

Samaha's funeral will be Monday at Holy Transfiguration Church in McLean.

She would have been 19 this coming June 23.

Services were also held for 19-year-old Emily Hilscher, of Woodville, at Rappahannock County High School. She was one of the first two victims in the shooting.

Virginia police don't yet know why Hilscher was killed in her dorm, across from the dorm where Cho lived.

In court papers, investigators say Cho may have communicated with Hilscher, by computer.

(Copyright 2007 by WTOP and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)