CHHS Coping with Third Student Death, Remembers Deja
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It’s been a year of tragedy at Charles Henderson High School. With the death of a Senior football player, a suicide in the junior class, and now a sophomore has lost her life in a car accident. We’re learning more about the life of 15-year-old Deja Liptrot and how the school is coping through the all too familiar grieving process.
Assit. Principal CHHS Carolyn Hampton said, “It’s been a very trying year for us at Charles Henderson High School.”
Three Charles Henderson students’ lives cut short. Most recently, 15-year-old Deja Liptrot who was killed in a car accident.
Now her friends and classmates gather pictures as a way to remember. Hampton said, “This gives them a voice, it helps them to celebrate their classmates memories and to just make them feel a part of it which definitely helps the grieving process.”
It’s a process all too familiarust a few months ago this memorial was put together for senior Demario Harris, who died after collapsing during a football game.
Guidance Counselors like Sonya Wright have been with students through it all. Wright said, “Just making sure they allow themselves to realize that grieving is ok. It takes time for them to heal. To make sure that they don’t isolate themselves and try to deal with it by themselves, to make sure that they are talking or allowing themselves to let it out.”
Heartbreak that’s weighed just as heavily on the faculty. Walter Childs, CHHS Senior Army Instructor JROTC said, “we become like a family.”
Deja was a part of JROTC. Walter said, “She was a lovely young lady and I am just grieved that she won’t have the opportunity to live out the life that she had hoped that she would. But I am alright with it because I know that she’s in God’s grace and that will take care of all things. So I’m appreciative of that.”
Wednesday students will wear pink- Deja’s favorite color. And at the school’s basketball game on Thursday there will be a fundraiser called “Dollars for Deja,” to raise money to support her family.
If you would like to know how you can help support the victim’s family contact the school at: (334) 566-3510.
