COLUMBUS, Ohio -
Elijah Walker would have turned 6 years old this week, and his classmates and relatives took time Thursday to remember the boy who died after falling into an icy pond earlier this year.
First responders pulled Walker from an icy pond at the Eastland on the Lakes apartments, but he died at the hospital days later.
The kindergarten student attended Leawood Elementary School, and students paid tribute to Elijah Thursday.
The school decided to hold a ceremony to celebrate Elijah's birthday. 60 balloons were released outside at the ceremony.
Attached to the balloons were cards -- each carrying one word. Some said buddy, smart, smile, and kind. They're all words that students used to describe their friend and classmate.
Classmate Alex Hatcher wrote friend on his card.
"He is my best friend because he played something with me outside and read books with me," Hatcher said.
Elijah died after an intense rescue effort pulled him from the chilling water.
Kindergarten teacher Kay Hickman said the ceremony will help Elijah's friends heal.
"The most important thing I think is that they were able to discuss among themselves what they remember about Elijah, and I think the big thing is they all seem to think he has angel wings now," Hickman said.
Elijah's kindergarten class and the classes his brothers attend participated in the balloon launch. After a moment of silence, they said Happy Birthday to Elijah and released the balloons.
Elijah's parents attended the ceremony.
"I had no idea that -- I just didn't know -- now I do. This whole school got his back," said Elijah's father Lorenzo Butler.
Hickman said Elijah was role model for all of the kids in Columbus.
