Hancock seniors lost 2 classmates in car accidents
22 May 1999
By Lori Burling
Messenger-Inquirer
The last class of the millennium from Hancock County High School has a heart.
Hancock County High had their commencement ceremony Friday at 7 p.m. in the school's gymnasium. The commencement was full of words and songs from the heart.
The senior class decided to have a memorial service for two students who died in the past two years. Aaron Newton and Wes Morris would have graduated Friday with their class if not for the car accidents.
"We've never really had a memorial service during the (graduation) ceremony," said Bob Kerrick, principal of Hancock County School. "But the seniors wanted to honor the students and show their respect to the families."
A bench that was donated to the school's memorial garden for the two boys sat in front of the senior class during the ceremony. Pictures of each of the boys were set on the bench. Two robes and two graduation hats with tassels accompanied the pictures.
"Aaron and Wes were special people," said graduating senior Amanda Harris. "I knew both of them and I was proud that my class wanted to have the service."
The girls of the graduating class held single yellow roses while parading into the gym. They placed the roses on the bench as they passed. After the welcoming from Kerrick, seniors Jarod Elliott and Jennifer Stephens spoke on behalf of Newton and Morris.
The families of Newton and Morris did not receive diplomas, although they did receive several awards at a banquet held at the school earlier this year.
"We didn't want to cause the families more grief by this ceremony," Kerrick said. "So the school and the senior class invited the families and told them about the service."
Newton died in an accident on Jan. 27, 1997, and Morris died in a car accident on Oct. 3, 1998.
As two students embraced Donna Morris, the mother of Wes, tears flowed.
"The Hancock County school system and Wes's friends have been wonderful," Donna Harris said. "Without all of their support, I would not have made it."
Although tears did fall, they were for many things.
"I can't believe my son is already graduating," said Debbie Morris, mother of Joshua Morris. "I can't help but cry."
The students' changing of their tassels was followed by a heap of silly string and their school song, "1999."
"I have no idea what I'm going to do now, but I'm glad to be out of here," Will Meriwether said.
School dedicates living memorial
Garden helps students deal with loss of clasmates
5 September 1998
By Kim Stacy
Messenger-Inquirer
HAWESVILLE - Even after a year and a half, the memories are still fresh, the grief still deep and the tears still flow easily for students and staff at Hancock County High School.
In January 1996, friends Aaron Newton, who would have been a senior this year, and Tim Dunn, a member of the school's 1997 graduating class, were killed in an automobile accident.
Nine months later, Dustin Hay, a member of the 1996 graduating class, met the same fate in October 1997.
But the high school is finding a positive way to cope with its grief, and that is by remembering their friends and loved ones with a memory garden.
The school took a few minutes Friday to dedicate the garden - which includes flowers, trees, a cherub and fountain - and to pay honor to the three youths through tears, words, songs, poetry and Bible verses.
"Today is a testimony in itself that there's still a lot of sorrow, hurt and pain. I'm really proud of the kids," said Principal Robert Kerrick. "This came about due to the loss of loved ones in the community. They're still hurting, and I think this will help."
Each item in the memory garden was donated by various classes and organizations, said teacher Melissa Wallace.
The labor for the project was done by youths in the Court Designated Worker program, who have committed minor offenses and must complete community service hours, she said.
"The memory garden helps the students to deal with their grief in a positive way," she said.
Carletta Newton, Aaron's mother, thanked the students and school for remembering her son and their support in recent months.
"Driving up here today, I was thinking this would have been Aaron's senior year and everything he would have been doing this year," she said. "I was also thinking about what I'd tell him today if he were here, and I'd like to share that with you.
"This is the beginning of your life and the beginning of what you can accomplish. The memory garden shows how you can work together. It's good that somebody else remembers our loved ones. Don't ever take a day for granted."
Student Jared Elliott encouraged his classmates to move forward with their lives while cherishing the memories of their friends.
"We don't know how lucky we are, and a lot of us take it for granted," he said. "Just take a day and realize what you have and be thankful. We can't dwell on the past but need to look forward to what we have."
