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Dallastown field hockey team honors Amanda Strous

DALLASTOWN, Pa. — A York County native who was murdered in North Carolina is being honored at Dallastown Area High School, where she used to play field ho...

DALLASTOWN, Pa. -- A York County native who was murdered in North Carolina is being honored at Dallastown Area High School, where she used to play field hockey.

Twenty-seven-year-old Amanda Strous was killed in her apartment in Charlotte in June.

Police said she was strangled to death and her apartment was set on fire.

Strous was honored at Dallastown's first home field hockey game of the season. Hundreds of people from York County wore purple, Amanda's favorite color, to remember her.

Eric Strous, Amanda's father, said, "At the end of the day I would tell you the thing I would like you to remember most about her is she lived every moment like it was her last. She loved unconditionally."

Strous graduated from Dallastown Area High School in 2007, where she played field hockey for all four years.

Her former coach, Jeri Myers, said the team is giving back to the No. 40 field hockey player.

"She's had four championships while she's played with us so as a result we would like to spread our love and compassion for field hockey this year," Myers said.

The field hockey team presented Amanda's family with her high school uniform. Hundreds of people then released purple balloons in the middle of the field in memory of Strous.

Emily Kohlbus, a friend of Strous, said, "It just shows how much she impacted everybody. Even if it is in just an insignificant way. She meant something to everybody that was here."

Her family and friends said they will remember Amanda for her smile and determination. Her mother hopes Amanda can inspire others.

Crystal Strous said, "So many times young people think that they're just one person. That they can't change the world. But I think just looking at Amanda's story and how she's touched so many lives and continues to touch so many lives, that you really can make a difference and it all has to start within yourself.

Her family said they want Amanda to leave a legacy with a foundation called "Fly High 22."

No. 22 was Amanda's jersey number when she played at Shippensburg University.

Eric Strous said, "We're going to be giving back to obviously the Dallastown High School and there's a scholarship that started here. Really people that had the same attributes as she did. Live laugh love and try to leave a legacy."

The Shippensburg University field hockey team is holding free fall instructional clinics in honor of Strous. The first clinic is this Friday.

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