BY BLAIR THOMSON
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IT'S meant to be one of the most memorable nights of their young lives but for those attending Saturday night's debutante ball in Albury, there will be a distinctly sombre mood.
![Max Tittensor and Rylea Brooks prepare for their deb ball on Saturday night. Max Tittensor and Rylea Brooks prepare for their deb ball on Saturday night.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/e8uBJxuTc2fGAziDArmhm5/db3ae3bf-2db6-45e3-b2c0-ec425649dc42.jpg/r0_403_5184_3329_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The event has been organised by students from Wodonga Senior Secondary College, which former student Spencer Botting had attended.
The popular 16-year-old, nicknamed Lamar, was killed when a utility he was a passenger in rolled on the Yackandandah-Wodonga Road at Staghorn Flat in May.
Spencer had been due to attend Saturday's event, and regularly talked to his deb partner Rylea Brooks about the night.
In light of the tragic accident, Spencer's friend Max Tittensor has stepped in to take his place.
Rylea said the event was being held in memory of their late friend.
"It's quite hard," she said of preparing for the ball.
"It's strange to think that six months ago we were so excited.
"We would practice our dance steps at school and now Spencer is not going to be doing it with me."
Spencer had often joked that Max was the back-up plan, waiting in reserve to take Rylea if he was unable to attend.
Spencer had also joked with Rylea about seeing her dress - she had banned anyone from viewing it before the event.
Sadly, a photo of the dress was placed in Spencer's casket prior to his burial, fulfilling his wish.
Rylea will light a candle in memory of her late friend at the start of the debutante ball, and attendees and the venue will be decked out in red, his favourite colour.
Nearly all of the 22 debutante partners were friends with Spencer or knew him, and Spencer's family members will also attend.
"He always lived life to the fullest," Rylea said.
"He was always hanging out with friends and was always busy, and always happy.
"I've really struggled (since his death)."
The event will be held at the Albury Entertainment Centre, and about 530 people are expected to attend.
Specially designed red sashes with “Fly High Lamar” written on them have been made for the night.
The phrase has become a slogan used by many in the community in tribute to the teenager.
Max said it would be hard to step into the role for his late friend, but said it was the right thing to do.
“It’s very important to me,” he said.
“He was a good mate of mine.
“We used to joke around about who was going to go to the deb with Rylea and we agreed that I was the backup if he pulled out or didn’t want to do it.
“I feel like I’m honouring him by doing it.
“I feel like he wouldn’t want anyone else to do it.”
Rylea’s mother, Kerryn, said many of the young people who knew Spencer were still struggling to come to terms with his death, and the fact he is not coming back.
“It’s something we’ve never experienced before, counselling grieving children who have lost their best friend,” she said.
“They think they’re just in a bad nightmare.
“But hopefully after the deb everyone can move on a little bit.
“It’s still so very new and eight weeks down the track the kids can’t seem to let go.”
She said while everyone who went to the event was going to struggle, they were all going to celebrate Spencer’s short life.
“People are saying he was taken early from us, but he didn’t miss much of his life,” Ms Brooks said.
“He certainly filled his days.”
Drew Turnbull, who was a passenger in the utility that rolled, was seriously injured and remains in hospital, with family members optimistic about his slowly-improving condition.