The school has been closed on the anniversary of the shootings since 2000 and school administrators say the practice will continue for the foreseeable future.
Friday is also a national day of mourning for the shooting victims at Virginia Tech University. (Full story)
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter spoke Friday morning before a bell-ringing memorial and moment of silence aimed at remembering victims of both shootings.
At the ceremony, held at the Cathedral of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Gov. Ritter said, "We have a special ability here in Colorado to spend a special message to the people of Virginia because in a sense we've walked the walk that they're having to do now. Eight years ago today with our own Columbine tragedy, a period of examination, a period of recovery, and to some extent receiving condolences and sympathies from across the world and the United States to get where we are today."
He continued on to say, "It's a place of healing, a place of unity, and it's a place of hope. But we got there together because people surrounded us, and people were able to buffer the pain that we felt with their love and their support and so today as we toll these bells we want to send our deepest condolences to the people of Virginia."
Gov. Ritter has ordered all flags in the state to be flown at half staff until 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Jefferson County Education Association has launched a fundraising campaign to help complete the Columbine Memorial that is already under construction. The memorial's Web site says it is still about $160,000 away from its goal.
Former President Clinton attended the memorial's groundbreaking on April 25, 2006.
Below is a list of those killed, including information provided by family and friends:
-- Cassie Bernall, 17. A born-again Christian, she was active in church youth programs and Bible study groups. Had recently visited Britain and loved Mel Gibson's "Braveheart."
-- Steven Curnow, 14. A freshman, he dreamed of being a Navy top gun and piloting an F-16. Watched the "Star Wars" movies so often he could recite dialogue. Played soccer as a boy and refereed to earn pocket money.
-- Corey DePooter , 17. Loved to golf, hunt and fish. The former wrestler had taken a maintenance job at a golf club to save up for a boat with a friend. He had been frustrated to miss school because he had his wisdom teeth removed.
-- Kelly Fleming, 16. Aspiring songwriter and author. Wrote scores of poems and short stories based on her life experiences. A recent arrival in Colorado from Phoenix, she had been eager to get her driver's license and part-time job.
-- Matthew Kechter, 16. A junior with an A average, he had hoped to start for the football team. The year after the attack, the Columbine football team won the state championship and after dedicating the season to him.
-- Daniel Mauser, 15. A sophomore, he excelled in math and science and earned straight A's on his last report card. Ran cross country and joined debate team. Had spent two weeks in Paris with French club.
-- Daniel Rohrbough, 15. Helped in his father's electronics business and worked on family farms in Kansas during the summer. Enjoyed computer games, stereos and home theater systems. Shot while holding an exit door open for fleeing students.
-- William "Dave" Sanders, 47. Columbine teacher for 24 years, including in business and science. Coached girls' basketball and softball; in his first year as basketball coach, 1997-98, team posted winning record after finishing next to last the previous year. Married, three daughters and 10 grandchildren. Shot twice in the chest while directing students down hallway to safety.
-- Rachel Scott, 17. Played lead in a student-written play, "Smoke in the Room." Active in Celebration Christian Fellowship church. Liked photography. In drama class the day of the attack, she drew in her journal thirteen tears falling from 13 victims in red blood drops to a rose. Her younger brother Craig, 16, played dead in school library and helped lead others to safety.
-- Isaiah Shoels, 18. Had been expected to graduate in May, just a few weeks after the attack. Suffered health problems as a child and had heart surgery twice. Wanted to attend an arts college and become a music executive. Small in stature, but lifted weights, played football and wrestled. Witnesses said he was shot in the head because he was black and an athlete.
-- John Tomlin, 16. Enjoyed driving off-road in his beat-up Chevy pickup. Worked after-school in a gardening store and belonged to a church youth group. Went on missionary trip to Mexico with family the year before the attack and built a house for the poor. Planned to enlist in the Army.
-- Lauren Townsend, 18. Senior was captain of girls' varsity volleyball team, coached by her mother. Other players said she was "consumed" by the sport. Member of the National Honor Society and candidate for valedictorian. Wanted to major in biology at Colorado State University.
-- Kyle Velasquez, 16. The sophomore was a gentle giant, growing to 6 feet by the time he was a sophomore. Loved his older brother, Daniel, ice cream and the Denver Broncos.
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