ELKHART, Ind. -- First graders in Elkhart celebrated what would have been one of their classmate's eighth birthdays.

Kristyana Jackson was shot and killed in a home invasion last August.

Monday, friends, students, teachers and Kristyana's family gathered for cupcakes to celebrate the little girl’s life.

"It is important for the children to remember her. It is part of their grieving process as well for them to remember Kristyana and the good times they had with her," said Carla Darr, Kristyana's teacher.

Police are still searching for the three armed men who broke into their Elkhart home last summer.