Two big hearts flanking the initials C.K. graced the sky over Interstate 15 today. A skywriter drew the five mile long message to remember Poway teenager Chelsea King, who was killed last fall by a convicted child molester.
Worldwide Sky Advertising owner Christina Kuiper says it is a fitting remembrance for a young lady who’s disappearance and death touched an entire community.
“She always believed in go big, or go home. And part of the reason we’re doing the skywriting is that it's a big way to remember who she was. And to make sure we always think about what she did for us, and our children. Not just today, but in the future," said Kuiper.
The skywriting message was arranged by Padres announcer Mark Grant and friends of the King family. An anonymous donor paid for it. Pilot Greg Stinis took about 10 minutes to write all four characters.
Kuiper said each character was the size of the Empire State Building.
“Our skywriter is going to create the first heart. And it's actually going to be five miles long when this is completed. He’s going to create the first heart and then in braces with her initials and then another heart behind that," said Kuiper.
The event happened on the same day that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 1844. The measure is known as Chelsea’s Law and requires a life sentence without the possibility of parole for people convicted of forcible sex acts against minors. The measure also tightens sex offense parole guidelines. Another provision requires lifelong tracking of certain sex offenders.