Parkland’s Alex Schachter loved marching band, Dad’s secret smoothie

Frozen strawberries, mango, blueberries and coconut water. Those were the secret ingredients to the smoothie 14-year-old Alex Schachter and his friends enjoyed so much that they’d always plead for second and third servings.

That was among the stories shared Sunday, according to one of the near-1,000 friends, family and community members who attended the boy’s emotional funeral. The service was closed to media.

Other remembrances focused on his love for movies, his humor and his passion for the high school’s marching band, in which he played trombone.

The teen, who was described as confident and kind, loved summer camps, playing Nerf basketball in his room and collecting Fatheads sports decals.

In Alex’s honor, the family set up a GoFundMe page. The funds will go toward creating a scholarship program to help other students experience the joys of music as well as fund increased security at schools.

In the last 48 hours, marching bands across the country have taken to social media in remembrance of the teen they never met.

“Music brings us together,” a banner read, as dozens of students stood behind it.

“Music is powerful,” one commentator wrote. “This warms my sad heart.”

This story was originally published February 18, 2018 at 6:58 PM with the headline "Parkland’s Alex Schachter loved marching band, Dad’s secret smoothie."