It is Monday, the start of a new week, the day when students at Essex High School returned from vacation, the first day back since a freshman, Aaron Xue, committed suicide behind the school.
Aaron Xue was 15 years old and by all accounts smart, talented and athletic. He was an honors student. He was one of the best tennis players in the state and was nationally ranked. He was a cellist. And, from the remembrances of his family, his friends, his teachers and even those who knew him only slightly, he was a gentle, compassionate soul. He died late Friday, April 17.
Young Writers Project learned of Aaron's death from a friend of his who posted something Sunday afternoon. We contacted EHS and received advice and counsel from the guidance director -- Michelle Rath -- as to how best to handle the situation. We posted a note asking that the students write about Aaron's life and about their own feelings rather than conjecture about his death.
All last week, students posted. They wrote of their incredible grief, their anger, their confusion. They wrote about what he was like. One even composed a song. On Friday, April 24, a memorial service was held. Hundreds packed the Essex Trinity Alliance Church.
Over the weekend and, again, today, Monday, other students have written, a few who had been away and a few eloquent pieces from students who didn't know Aaron but had been reading the words of the other students. So far there have been more than 35 pieces dedicated to Aaron and nearly 140 comments to each other.
It is an example, I think, of how a safe online writing space can be a place of healing, of figuring, of creating. I encourage you to read some of the posts. The link: http://www.youngwritersproject.org/taxonomy/term/11390
Peace,
geoff
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Submitted by ggevalt on Mon, 04/27/2009 - 22:12
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