SACHSE, Texas — Yellow ribbons wrapped around poles and trees surrounding Cheri Cox Elementary School at Wylie Independent School District.
It was Sofia and Daniela Mendoza's favorite color.
The young sisters were killed one year ago in the mass shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets.
On Monday at the one-year mark of the shooting, students, teachers and family members gathered outside the school. Many were in tears as they remembered the girls.
The children sang a song written by Sofia's teacher about the sisters. Then shortly after, they broke ground on the Mendoza Legacy Park. Classmates took a shovel and dug it into the ground together.
The memorial garden will be built right outside the school. There will be a library named after Sofia, and a bird feeder in honor of Daniela. It will also have butterfly benches, a symbol of their grace and beauty.
Sofia was a second grader. Her teacher, Lauren Wright, misses her.
"That day was easily one of the hardest days I've ever lived," said Wright.
She wore a pin with Sofia's photo on her lanyard. Looking at the photo, she said, "You can see her big ponytail back there. Just so precious."
Wright said Sofia's ponytail bounced, just like her zesty personality. She loved her students and recalls field trips together.
"We make seating arrangements and I even put her next to me on the bus," Wright said.
Daniela was a fourth grader at Cox Elementary. Stephanie Green saw her every day and remembered the smiley girl who wore black-rimmed glasses. Friends described Daniela as the most loyal, supportive friend who loved TikTok dance videos.
"We would always laugh at each other passing in the hallway and make faces at each other," Green smiled as she remembered Daniela.
"We didn't know we were never going to see them again," said Wright.
It's been a year of heartbreak for the people at Cheri Cox Elementary. That's why the Mendoza Legacy Park is so important to keep their memories close.
The Daniela and Sofia Mendoza Memorial Book Drive will be held from May 6 to 17, requesting gently used or new books. Click here if you would like to donate.
The park is expected to be completed by the Fall.