ROANOKE (WSLS10) - Alison Parker; A hometown girl who was known as a philanthropist and cared about the community in which she worked and lived.
Before she was killed during a live broadcast on WDBJ7 by a former co-worker, Alison was working to raise money for the Salvation Army's Turning Point Services for the upcoming "Valley Stars" competition. The event raises money for the domestic violence shelter in the Roanoke Valley.
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Alison and her partner, Pedro Szalay, were planning to meet for rehearsal Wednesday evening after her shift. It was a practice she never made.
Pedro said he heard the news while teaching dance class at his studio. He took a break and retreated to his car for a moment alone. Inside his car, the shoes he dyed to match Alison's outfit for the competition, which he planned to give her at that night's practice.
Pedro said Alison grew up dancing.
"She was a beautiful dancer," Szalay said.
Her partner, who knew her as a little girl, said raising awareness about domestic violence was a cause she was passionate about. Now, he will dance in her honor.
"The show must go on. I know she wants the performance to go on," Szalay said.
Pedro had not decided if he would dance their ballet point performance alone, or with one of his students. One day after her death, he was carefully thinking the performance over, considering what would best honor his partner. A partner he said taught him so much.
"She teaches me a lot about perseverance and life, and you can do something positive for somebody," Szalay explained.
Those who knew Alison best said this is what she would have wanted. Valley Stars Dance Coordinator, Dave Spangler, said Alison was looking forward to participating in an event she loved as a representative of the station she saw as family.
"She made it very clear that she would like to be the WDBJ7 rep this year. And she was a breath of fresh air," Spangler said.
Before Wednesday, Alison's Valley Stars red kettle donation total topped $1,200. The money she raised will benefit victims of domestic violence.
Event co-chair Melissa Harper said there is an ironic and devastating twist to her untimely death.
"It's interesting that she was dancing for a cause about violence and while her violence was work place related," Harper said. "It's still violence."
Her friends and family said these lessons will continue to be taught in her memory.
"I want to keep that in mind. Doing this piece in honor of her...because as I said before. The show must go on.," Szalay said.
And the show will go on. Alison's dance shoes will be featured on the stage of Valley Stars on September, 26 at the Jefferson Center during the performance.
WSLS10's Rachel Lucas, a competitor in the event, asked all donations be made in honor and in memory of Alison Parker. There are three winners for the event, one of which will be recognized for raising the most money.
This was a competition that Alison planned to win. Harper said a win for Alison would be the perfect way to honor her, and her cause.
Donations can be made at valleydancing.com