High School Students in St. Joseph Honor Newtown Victims
By: Sarah Hatten
Updated: December 17, 2012
(ST. JOSEPH Mo.) All across the country, people are grieving with Newtown in their own way. Right here in St. Joseph, students are honoring the victims with ribbons in remembrance of those lives lost.
Benton High School students spent Monday morning outfitting each other with gold bows, meant to honor victims of last week's deadly school shooting.
"It's really remarkable to see that our kids are supporting people that they don't even know, which really melts my heart," said Ronnie Knight, Benton High School.
Students are remembering the 20 children and 6 faculty members gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Connecticut on Friday.
Monday was scheduled to be 'dress like an angel' day at Benton. Students wore halos, but have added arm bands and bows to pay tribute to the lives lost in the shooting.
"I gave Student Council the idea, and they liked it. We ran with it, posted on Facebook, sent out texts, put it on Twitter and here we are," Knight said.
"We went out and got everything for the kids and student government. Between our kids on Facebook and student council, we've been doing a lot. Our student council is pretty strong here," said Dr. Jeanette Westfall, Benton High School principal.
The Student Council set the example, and others followed suit. They say out of the tragedy comes unity and a grateful attitude, proving the teens are more than just a student body.
"They're thoughtful and reflective, and it makes them appreciate what they have. It did that for me. I mean I think it does that for everyone, makes you appreciate people you work with. You know, it's a family," Dr. Westfall said.
Dr. Westfall says this is a time when the school family relies on each other for support.
"They like to take care of each other and guide each other to do the right things and kindness is one of those things, so it makes me really proud of them," Dr. Westfall said.
Benton also held a moment of silence before school in honor of the victims.
Benton High School students spent Monday morning outfitting each other with gold bows, meant to honor victims of last week's deadly school shooting.
"It's really remarkable to see that our kids are supporting people that they don't even know, which really melts my heart," said Ronnie Knight, Benton High School.
Students are remembering the 20 children and 6 faculty members gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Connecticut on Friday.
Monday was scheduled to be 'dress like an angel' day at Benton. Students wore halos, but have added arm bands and bows to pay tribute to the lives lost in the shooting.
"I gave Student Council the idea, and they liked it. We ran with it, posted on Facebook, sent out texts, put it on Twitter and here we are," Knight said.
"We went out and got everything for the kids and student government. Between our kids on Facebook and student council, we've been doing a lot. Our student council is pretty strong here," said Dr. Jeanette Westfall, Benton High School principal.
The Student Council set the example, and others followed suit. They say out of the tragedy comes unity and a grateful attitude, proving the teens are more than just a student body.
"They're thoughtful and reflective, and it makes them appreciate what they have. It did that for me. I mean I think it does that for everyone, makes you appreciate people you work with. You know, it's a family," Dr. Westfall said.
Dr. Westfall says this is a time when the school family relies on each other for support.
"They like to take care of each other and guide each other to do the right things and kindness is one of those things, so it makes me really proud of them," Dr. Westfall said.
Benton also held a moment of silence before school in honor of the victims.
