ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The family of 9-year-old T’Yonna “Ya-Ya” Major gathered Sunday to honor her memory with a second annual peace walk at the elementary school she once attended in Pine Hills.
Feb. 22 marked three years since T’Yonna was shot and killed in 2023. Loved ones say the “Ya-Ya Peace Walk” is not only a tribute to her life, but a call for unity in the community.
“So today is actually the second annual peace walk. That’s what we’re calling it — the Ya-Ya Peace Walk,” said her aunt, Angel Grantley.
[LAST TIME: Family of T’Yonna Major leads walk against gun violence]
Family members and supporters walked two laps around the block surrounding Pine Hills Elementary School, a number chosen with intention.
“2/22 is when she passed — February 22, 2023. So we keep the number two in mind,” Jamilla Harrison said. “And then between 9 and 11, because she was born on 9/11.”
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Grantley said the pain of losing her niece remains constant.
“Just missing her, just missing her flipping through the house, calling, going skating, going swimming — stuff like not getting to do the little things I don’t get to do with her. It makes me sad,” Grantley said.
Harrison carried a photo featuring students from Pine Hills Elementary who were lost within a six-week span that year — two due to gun violence. She said T’Yonna’s absence was deeply felt among classmates.
“As a music teacher, I get her every year. So I had the opportunity to watch our girl from kindergarten up until her demise occurred. So I had her every single year,” Harrison said.
When asked how classmates responded, Harrison described memorial tributes created by students.
“They wrote ‘We miss you, T’Yonna.’ The art teacher had a glow party, and they have pictures that they drew of light teardrops and ‘Miss you. Love you.’ Her absence was most felt even among her classmates. Some of them came to the funeral. And you can actually see the impact of her loss,” she said.
Authorities arrested and charged Keith Moses in connection with the shooting deaths of T’Yonna Major, 38-year-old Natasha Augustin, and Spectrum News 13 reporter Dylan Lyons.
Since T’Yonna’s death, her family has worked with Florida lawmakers, including state Rep. Rashon Young, to advocate for a new emergency alert system that would notify families if there is an active scene near a school or childcare facility.
“Grief doesn’t get easier. Grief does not get lighter. Grief doesn’t go away and I think that all of us at some point in life, whether we have been there or are going to be there at some point, are going to feel what this family is feeling right now,” Young said. “What I am so encouraged about by their walk and their journey is that even despite all that they have gone through, they could have chosen despair. They could have chosen to live in darkness. But they choose hope every day. They wake up to honor life and to make sure that they are fulfilling what she would have wanted.”
[MORE: ‘Ya Ya Alert’ bill named after Orlando girl killed in 2023 waits in Florida Legislature]
The family said they will continue fighting to carry on T’Yonna Major’s legacy — one centered on strength, love and giving back to the community.