Kyllopalooza: "Dream Big"

Through all the years, the wins and losses, that Erin Kavanaugh had known her friend and teammate Khristin Kyllo, there were a few things that never changed.

That Kyllo would spend hours searching for new bands and music so she'd be the first to know about them; that her life ebbed and flowed between "her songs," the ones she chose for morning rides to school or basketball practice; and that seeing anyone sad would drive her crazy, because "she wanted everyone to be happy."

So it only made sense to honor the life of 18-year-old Kyllo,  with an outdoor benefit concert, featuring up-and-coming Vienna bands that also brought her friends and family together.

Hundreds came to Thursday's "Kyllopalooza," an effort spearheaded by the several community groups. Donations were accepted at tents around the Town Green in exchange for black t-shirts screened with an image of Kyllo, a 2010 Madison grad and Princeton University softball player. Those who donated also donned bright pink bracelets with the festival name on one side and "Dream Big" -- one of Kyllo's motto's -- on the other.

Mercury in Summer, Adam Swink &OVF and Fat Chance performed throughout the four-hour concert, while the Vienna Inn, Church Street Pizza and Caffe Amouri sold coffee, pizza and beer.  A clear, sunny evening emerged from a day filled with downpours, a sign, some said, of Kyllo's ability to make the best of every situation.

All proceeds from the event benefited the Khristin Kyllo Memorial Fund, established by the James Madison High School Booster Club to form an annual scholarship and meet other school and community needs. The scholarship, which had 20 applicants in its first year, will go each year to a student trying to pursue their dream who might otherwise not be able to attend college.

At the concert, Kyllo's parents, Tom and Julie, presented Madison High School Senior Chris Foote with a $5,000 scholarship that will help him attend Virginia Commonwealth University.

Another $1,500 scholarship will also be awarded this year.

Del. Mark Keam and State Sen. Chap Petersen also presented the Kyllos with a resolution from the General Assembly, honoring Khristin's life.

Throughout the night, donations continued to pour in. As cash piled up at the entrance, families and individual donors continued to drop off checks for hundreds of dollars a piece; one man walked up and wrote a $1,000 check.

"Khristin was pretty much my idol growing up," said EmJ Fogel, who played softball with Kyllo for Madison High School. "[She] wanted so much attention and always wanted to be the center of it, so this pretty much exemplifies what she would've wanted."

Watch video from the event in the media player above.