Chardon High School at the one-year mark -- after school shootings
Chardon mayor Philip King wears a pin with the Chardon high school colors.
(Photo by Marvin Fong, Plain Dealer file photo)
CHARDON, Ohio — Chardon High School students and officials plan to mark today's one-year anniversary of the tragic shooting by honoring the memory of the victims, but also striving to show their appreciation for the support they have received in the past year.
Chardon High School Principal Andy Fetchik and senior class officer Adam Benjamin met with media members outside the Geauga County Courthouse early this morning, the place where a day earlier T.J. Lane pleaded guilty to killing students Demetrius Hewlin, 16, Daniel Parmetor, 16, and Russell King Jr., 17, and injuring three others.
"We wanted to give back to all of the communities, especially this community which has given so much to us," Benjamin said.
Benjamin said support from Chardon residents and others outside the city has made an impact on students.
"It's really been everything," he said. "I think it's really helped some people get through the whole tragedy, just knowing that there's some people out there for them. And it's kind of shown us there's a lot of good in the world, too."
Officials with the school district and students have been making plans and meeting with the media as the date of the shooting approached.
School officials, trauma counselors, students and board members from a special fund created to help victims and the community gathered Feb. 22 to talk with the media. School officials last week also outlined their plans for today.
Benjamin said the mood in the high school leading up to today has been somber, but he said safety is not a concern.
"I still feel safe to go to school," he said. "I know I'm going to be safe."
Chardon student leaders invited people to join them in wearing red and black today and participate in a day of service to remember the victims.
Fetchik said last week that in the days after the shooting he saw students decide “this is not going to define us.”
"Working with this group of kids ... it's really been an uplifting experience," Fetchik said today. "I don't know if I ever felt we were defeated. ... Everything we've done has been with Danny, Russell, Demetrius in mind and knowing the struggle (shooting victims) Nick (Walczak), Nate (Mueller) and Joy (Rickers) have had. We've really kept them in our focus and trying to be together."
Fetchik said he has "given out his share of hugs" during the past year, and he plans to deliver a positive message today to students.
"I think the message is to keep going, never quit, and be thankful for what you have," he said. "If they look around there's no way these kids can't feel supported. The community has reached out from quite frankly Northeast Ohio to around the country. And it's truly been appreciated and that's our message today, to say thank you."