SCAD mourns Formica’s passing
Photo by Emalee Formica
Students are mourning the loss of Emalee Riane Formica, a senior photography major killed last week in a Warner Robins, Georgia, car crash.
A funeral for Formica, 22, took place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warner Robins. The family plans a Saturday memorial service at St. Joseph Catholic Church in her hometown of Starkville, Mississippi.
Formica died Oct. 8 after a pickup truck ran a red light and collided with the side of her SUV, according to media reports. Her mother was also seriously injured in the crash. Formica had completed all of her credits and was due to graduate this fall with a BFA in fashion photography.
Classmates say she will be remembered as a gifted photographer and a loyal friend.
“I met Emalee on my first day of orientation at SCAD,” said Danielle Raynal, a graphic design alum from Petoskey, Michigan. “Those who knew her can count themselves among the luckiest. Emalee’s soul is pure gold, all the way through. She met each loss and each blow with a strength that extends beyond her short years.”
Media reports indicate the driver of the pickup truck, Jason Fritzer, has been charged with failure to obey a traffic control device, of driving under the influence of drugs, of serious injury by motor vehicle and reckless driving.
Following the morning crash, Formica was taken to Georgia’s Navicent Health Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.
According to her obituary, “photography was her passion and Emalee was looking forward to her recent employment in the Atlanta area in that field.”
Friends say Formica’s cheerful attitude endeared her to so many of her fellow students.
“There was this Mississippi girl, going through the same changes I was,” said fifth-year dramatic writing major Boyce Powell from Clarksdale, Massachusetts. “She was far from home. She was meeting so many new people. She was taking the same all-nighter Foundation courses. And she was doing all of it with a smile.”
“Talking about Emalee Formica has always been effortless because I always felt the pleasure of showing off my talented, charismatic and loyal friend,” said Alejandra Gutierrez, a film and television graduate from Monterrey, Mexico.
“I will forever be your friend and carry you close to my heart,” said Gutierrez. “I will always pose for your pictures even though I feel shy in front of the camera. I will always come with you to Bergen Hall and watch you develop films for hours. I will always hear you, comfort you and make you laugh, because I will always be your friend and sister. I love you Emalee and I always will.”
Emalee’s father, Pete Formica from Pensacola, Florida, spoke on behalf of his wife, son and extended family:
“I appreciate the contact and the thoughts and prayers we have received from SCAD,” he said. “SCAD has a special place in our hearts.”
