In the fall of 2002, one of our popular students hung himself at home, after he left a party with some humiliation and frustration. It was a Thursday night and he was not discovered until his mother went to his room to warn him one last time to get to school. He lived across the street from the high school so many of us saw the ambulance arrive and take him away. His family and friends were devastated.
Five weeks later, right before Christmas, anther student was on his way to an NA meeting and stopped somewhere and scored some heroin. He overdosed and lingered in a coma for five days. When he was declared brain dead, all life support was pulled and he slipped away from us. His family and friends were devastated. And our community was reeling in the fear of "Who's next?"
I was the principal of the high school. Below is my moment of silence I delivered to the staff and students after this second death:
"In a way that is comfortable for you, please think about Brian and his heartbroken family, his parents and siblings who have been left behind. It is my hope that Brian and his family are now able to find some sort of inner peace after this painful week of turmoil.
I would also like you to think about you. In less than six weeks time, we have lost two students, two friends and the weight of this grief is becoming too difficult to bear. I would like you to think of how you will handle yourself in the face of all of this awful adversity.
It is my hope that you find the courage to face this adversity with constructive behaviors. This can best be done by recognizing and leaning on those of us who love you, care for you and are willing to help out you through our storm. Together we can help you do the right thing.
I speak for all the faculty when I suggest you lean on us, your teachers and staff members because like you, we can not afford to lose any more students. We can not lose you."
Five weeks later, right before Christmas, anther student was on his way to an NA meeting and stopped somewhere and scored some heroin. He overdosed and lingered in a coma for five days. When he was declared brain dead, all life support was pulled and he slipped away from us. His family and friends were devastated. And our community was reeling in the fear of "Who's next?"
I was the principal of the high school. Below is my moment of silence I delivered to the staff and students after this second death:
"In a way that is comfortable for you, please think about Brian and his heartbroken family, his parents and siblings who have been left behind. It is my hope that Brian and his family are now able to find some sort of inner peace after this painful week of turmoil.
I would also like you to think about you. In less than six weeks time, we have lost two students, two friends and the weight of this grief is becoming too difficult to bear. I would like you to think of how you will handle yourself in the face of all of this awful adversity.
It is my hope that you find the courage to face this adversity with constructive behaviors. This can best be done by recognizing and leaning on those of us who love you, care for you and are willing to help out you through our storm. Together we can help you do the right thing.
I speak for all the faculty when I suggest you lean on us, your teachers and staff members because like you, we can not afford to lose any more students. We can not lose you."
