There are countless shows and movies where people see what happens in small towns and nobody thinks it will never happen in real life.
Unfortunately, that’s what happened in Rose Hill when police discovered the body of a little girl in September. Unfortunately two days later, 5th grader Eli Henrickson was killed in a car accident when a wrong-way driver struck his family’s vehicle. His father was also tragically killed.
Teachers found themselves in the position of having to help grieve students during these unthinkable times, while also navigating their own grief
“Eli was way beyond his age,” Jasmin Kingsley, Eli’s teacher said. “He always had the best stories and the facts on anything and everything.”
After these tragedies, the town came together to rally around each other in support in the toughest week Rose Hill has ever had. Teachers and students were then given opportunities to talk to guidance counselors. A GO FUND ME page was set up along with a meal train to cover food and expenses for the families.
“Teachers rallied around each other to provide support to students and other teachers who might be feeling the sadness that one would expect to occur during a traumatic event,” Kindergarten teacher Nancy Carr said. “No one is ever ready when tragedies like these occur, but I feel like our community always comes together to help where there is a need.”
It is always a beautiful thing for communities to come together during times like this. The school district came together with love and support for the ones who hurt the most. This shows how great a small town can unite into one because no one could ever expect anything like this.
“It was one of those tough weeks,” Superintendent Chuck Lambert said “I do really appreciate everyone here who is so friendly and thoughtful and helped everybody through it.”
Henrickson was described as a kid full of light and love. He was always putting a smile on people’s faces and just wanted to see you smile. He was always the first person to help if someone asked and always had a new story to tell everyday he came to class.
“He sure knew how to make you laugh and was always willing to help others no matter what.” Kingsley said.
