A scholar, an athlete, a beauty

By ROBIN NALEPA - rnalepa@thestate.com

In the student parking lot of Fort Dorchester High School on Friday, white-lettered words covered windshields of several cars.

“Rest in peace.”

“#16.”

“I (heart) you, Cassidy.”

These rolling tributes memorialized a young woman, Cassidy Pendley, who’s academic brilliance, athletic prowess, stunning beauty and gracious spirit touched many lives at her former North Charleston high school and beyond.

Pendley, 18, lost her life in a tragic house fire in Ocean Isle, N.C., while on a weekend beach trip with friends from USC and Clemson. The fire also killed six other students leaving families, friends and entire communities mourning.

This fall, Pendley enrolled at the University of South Carolina as a chemical engineering major and pledged Delta Delta Delta sorority, where her older sister Carly was a member.

If college was to be anything like Pendley’s high school experience, she was on track to excel in her course work, impress instructors, become a student leader and easily move among various social circles, all the while affecting those she met with her positive vibe.

“She was so easy to get along with,” said Rodney Otadoy, who met Pendley in sixth grade at Oakbrook Middle School in Charleston. The two had remained friends through high school and met for breakfasttogether twice a week at USC.

“She was tall and gorgeous and stood out in a crowd,” he said.

Pendley stood out among her classmates at Fort Dorchester High, too.

“She was mature beyond her years,” said Bill Schaufler, who taught Pendley’s freshman law class and coached her for four years in varsity soccer.

Schaufler marveled at Pendley’s work ethic on and off the soccer field and recommended the young woman for the Palmetto Youth Leadership program.

Schaufler remembers many of the younger team members looking up to Pendley, who wore jersey number 16.

“She was a natural leader,” he said.

When other girls simply passed by the junior varsity team during practice, Pendley, who served as co-captain her senior year, always offered them praise and encouragement.

If she didn’t feel she worked hard enough at practice she’d continue her workout at home with a run or Pilates.

During games, in which she often scored, Pendley’s competitive spirit shined. Long legs pumping, she covered the field with purpose.

“She was a coach’s dream,” Schaufler said. “If you asked her to do something on the field, she implemented it.”

Aggressive attackers, bloody knees and elbows never stopped Pendley who played forward and midfield.

“She could brawl with the best of them,” said Schaufler. “She hated to lose, but did it with class, like I told them to.”

The close-knit soccer team celebrated its wins at Chick-fil-A. While others feasted on milkshakes and fried chicken sandwiches, Pendley always ate a salad.

Pendley’s enthusiasm and charm served her well as a cheerleader. She danced, tumbled and cheered for the Patriots for three years.

Pendley giggled and cut up with her squad mates, according to Tamara Cheatham, the varsity cheerleading coach. Frequent hugs and compliments tempered loud group sing-a-longs and playful mocking.

Though Pendley loved cheering, she had her priorities straight and made responsible, mature decisions when it came to academics.

When asked to attend S.C. Governor’s School — an invitation reserved for the best and brightest — the dates conflicted with a mandatory cheer camp. Missing camp meant Pendley would automatically forfeit a spot on the coveted competition squad.

She chose the summer academic program.

“She knew that was an opportunity not everyone gets,” Cheatham said.

Pendley graduated in 2007 with a 3.95 grade point average and earned three academic letters. She mentored freshman and elementary school children. She spoke fluent Spanish and edited a Spanish-language newspaper.

When she wasn’t cheering, playing soccer or studying, she carved out time for friends and dating. She also worked part time at Frankie’s Fun Park only a short distance from school.

The amusement park atmosphere at Frankie’s fit with Pendley’s effervescent personality, said Kyle Stoudenmire, general manager.

Among the crowds and the chaos, Pendley was assigned to interact with the public, be it as a birthday party hostess or running the golf shack, because she enhanced the customers’ experience and brought a sense of calmness to her job, Stoudenmire said.

From scholar to hard-charging athlete to popular beauty, Pendley was confident in her abilities, driven to succeed and comfortable being herself.

“She was going to be someone who made a difference in the world,” Schaufler said.

Reach Nalepa at (803) 771-8507.