They called today's anniversary "Our Journey Of Hope."

One year after the bus crash in Cottonwood, Minnesota where four young students lost their lives, the victim's families and the entire Cottonwood community came together today not to mourn, but to celebrate the lives of those who were lost.

Today students expressed their feelings with posters made specially for the occasion.

One might expect that one year later the community would be trying to forget. Instead tonight they are celebrating not only the lives of the four lost students, but also how the tragedy led to the Cottonwood community coming together like never before.

Chelsey Johnson and Ciara Gideon were classmates with two of the students killed in the crash, and say it's an experience they've learned from.

Chelsey said, "We've learned that it's okay to try at different times and for us to feel something differently. But we all have the support system."

They've now turned that support into service to the community by making blankets for kids who are also going through tough situations.

Ciara says, "If something like that does happen to another school, I'll know how they feel and I think those blankets will help."

Though the process wasn't easy, those at the Cottonwood school are proud of where they've come.

Coral Popawitz, a counselor for Children's Grief Connection, said, "It's really important we recognize that and that we remember those kids and that day with a different sense rather than that of dread and sadness and mourning."

While the mourning may never be completely forgotten, those in the school and the community have demonstrated that they really can get through the worst of tragedies.

Chelsey said, "We know each other better now and we really have become a family."

A family that's remembering these students and how they impacted each and every one of their lives.