Parents of Lynn University student killed in earthquake build school in her honor

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It's the kind of work their daughter did year after year.

Working hard and getting dirty in the hot sun.

With every strike of a hammer, Stephanie Crispinelli's family is getting a real understanding of the kind of passion that their daughter had for the poor and it's helping them work through their grief.

Last month they visited the first community in Jamaica Stephanie visited for her first mission trip several years ago. 

"What we're trying to do is carry on the mission she started," said Stephanie's father, Lenny. "She wasn't able to do so."

Stephanie's father, mother, two brothers, grandparents, and more than two dozen of her friends and family wanted to walk in her footsteps. So they came up with the idea to build a school in her honor. It's called 'Steph's Place.'

 "She was so moved and touched and committed to changing the lives and giving opportunities for children," said Stephanie's mother, Lin Crispinelli.

Steph's Place will be changing lives. Serving 100 children, it's the first school in the town of Clarendon, Jamaica with running water and air conditioning. The financial help came from Food for the Poor-- the charity Stephanie was volunteering with when she was killed.

"It's an honor to be here with the Crispinelli family," said Robin Mahfood with Food For the Poor.

Steph's Place was a lifelong dream for Stephanie. What started as a summer trip three years ago, eventually changed her goals.  She was so moved by the poverty, her family says she changed her major to help with social issues and told her family  helping the poor was what she was meant to do.

""This is a great way to start our portion of her mission," said Nick Crispinelli, Stephanie's brother.

Until this experience, Steph's family admits they never truly understood her love for helping others.

Now, they get it.

 "You can't put it into words," said Mike Crispinelli, Stephanie's brother.  "It's unlike anything I've ever seen. I hope to attempt to fulfill what she did on her own."

Excerpts from journal below: