Kayla Lorentz

WINTER HAVEN -- Miss Kayla Jane Lorentz, an eighthgrade honor roll student at Denison Middle School, dreamed of becoming a veterinarian some day. "She always talked about how much she loved animals," said her maternal grandmother, Janie Burroughs of Winter Haven. "She was so full of love for people and animals. Her dreams were to hurry up and get back to school. She didn't want to mess up her grades. Her whole life was her school." Miss Lorentz died of leukemia Tuesday (Aug. 30, 2005) at Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando. She was 13. She was born in Eustis on Nov. 8, 1991. The family relocated to Winter Haven from there shortly after Miss Lorentz's grandparents came there in 1996. She attended Jewitt Elementary and Snively Elementary schools. While in the fifth grade, she received the Richard Rowe Foundation Scholarship to Polk Community College. "She has always been an honor student," said her mother, Veleda Lorentz. "I could have never asked for a better kid. She just loved life, and she loved everything." Miss Lorentz was looking forward to vying for the Bright Futures Scholarship this year and was planning to volunteer at the Polk County Humane Society. She was always interested in sports and within the last couple of years started playing softball on the Little Miss Winter Haven Softball team, playing multiple positions. In addition to her mother, Veleda Lorentz, and grandmother, Janie Burroughs, Miss Lorentz is survived by her father, Thornton Lorentz, Winter Haven; sister, Alleen McGowan, Winter Haven; maternal grandfathers, Joe Burroughs, Winter Haven, and Robert Marshall, Cincinnati; and paternal grandfather, Carlton Mancill, Bassville Park. Visitation will be Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. at OttLaughlin Funeral Home, Winter Haven. Services will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Rolling Hills Cemetery, Winter Haven.