A student has passed away.
I’m a senior, and over the weekend, we lost another senior. I didn’t know him personally; his face doesn’t come to mind, and I can’t recall his last name. Yet, I can’t shake the thoughts about him. He was drinking one night, on FaceTime with his girlfriend, possibly with friends around him, and in a moment of fooling around with a gun, he accidentally shot himself. The details are murky with so many rumors swirling around—it’s hard to discern what’s true. Some say he suffocated on his own blood; I just don’t know anymore, and it’s consuming me. I’ve found myself in tears today, writing a note of condolences to his father.
There’s a girl in the back of my class who is sobbing right now. I’m at a loss for how to respond. Meanwhile, everyone else is going on like it’s just another day—joking and laughing—but for the seniors and our teachers, it feels like everything is falling apart. We’ve been excused from school on Friday to attend his funeral, but I’m uncertain about going. I don’t know any of his family or friends, and the thought of attending feels awkward. Yet, it also seems wrong not to pay my respects.
I’ve never experienced the loss of a fellow student before, so I’m unsure how to navigate this. My senior classes feel eerily quiet, filled with heavy tension and sorrow. I just don’t know what to do.
Rest in peace, KT. You will be missed. ❤️
I’m so sorry to hear about this tragedy. It’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed and confused, especially when something so sudden and shocking happens. Even if you didn’t personally know him, the impact of a loss like this resonates throughout the entire community.
It’s natural to have mixed feelings about attending the funeral. It’s a way to honor someone’s life, but it’s also okay to acknowledge that it might feel uncomfortable. Perhaps you could think of it as a way to support those who knew him better, even if your connection was distant.
Allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come up—grief, confusion, or even anger—and don’t hesitate to talk to someone about your feelings. It can be helpful to share your thoughts with friends or a trusted adult. Remember that it’s okay to grieve in your own way, and there’s no right or wrong response to situations like this.
Take care of yourself during this tough time, and know that your feelings matter. It’s clear that KT was loved, and your acknowledgment of his life honors that.