SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — "She wanted to change the world..." said Lucy Schmadeke, sophomore at Springfield High School. "She would always say Lucy and I are going to change the world together and we're going to make a difference."

Now, Schmadeke is making that difference in Central Illinois.

Schmadeke recalls how kind, intelligent, and determined her friend, and babysitter, Emma Shafer was.

"She very quickly became someone that I thought of as a big sister..." added Schmadeke.

Ever since meeting her at only two years old, Shafer was a role model and big sister to Schmadeke. That is, until the unimaginable happened in 2023.

"I found out she was murdered on a Tuesday night..." she recalled.

Shafer was just 24 years old, when she was killed on July 11th, 2023 . Her life taken tragically, just as it was beginning.

"It was definitely really hard, but it just brings me joy now that I can continue her legacy," said Schmadeke.

She got right to work, starting with her high school community. With prom season inching its way closer, Schmadeke saw a way to make that difference she knew Shafer wanted to.

Schmadeke organized and founded the Be Like Emma dress resale ; a way for students to find accessible, gently worn or new dresses, all for a good cause. "I just hope that people can enjoy the dress and make something of their own."

Many high school juniors and seniors spent the afternoon trying on dresses, one of them being Madalyn Perkins. "It just felt right! Prom dresses, nowadays, are so expensive. Getting a dress that is cheaper and for a good cause is absolutely amazing."

All of the money from the dresses goes towards Shafer's charity, and every dress that finds a new home is a little gift from Shafer.

"I hope she would be proud..." said Schmadeke. "I think it's something she would have wanted me to do."