4/30/01, early morning
GC smiled, said goodbye to her first period teacher, and walked the short distance to her second period, Careers with Children. Upon walking in she saw a congregation of the more prominent students in the class; GC knew right off something was wrong. She dropped her backpack and binder onto her desk and stepped into the congregation, hoping to find out what had happened.
Adonia was speaking: “She said ‘Don’t’ call me Thursday, don’t call me Friday, call me Saturday.” As GC tried to piece things together another student walked in. Mrs. See handed her a short note; GC continued to listen to Adonia’s conversation.
The student uttered a barely audible gasp, and handed the note back to Mrs. See; the teacher gestured to GC, and the student handed the note to her. GC took the note and read it:
We were informed this morning that Elizabeth Medina, 12th grade, committed suicide on Thursday evening. Our local crisis team is available to counsel distraught students. Please refer these students to the Health Office. Teachers of Seniors: If you need a member of the staff to come to one of your classes, please notify the Assistant Principal’s Office ASAP.
GC’s eyes flew wide open. Elizabeth Medina, who always had a smile, never was one to complain, killed herself. GC let out a long breath she didn’t know she held, and stood still for a few minutes. Questions of how and why wen through her mind at light speed. Veteran and newbie-students alike walked into the classroom dejected, surprised, confused, grieving, mournful. The bell rang, and GC slowly walked back to her seat, the gravity and reality of the situation not yet quite fully registered.
The class was silent, save for muffled sobs. One of the counselors came in to talk to the class, letting the distraught students know what feelings they might experience in the next few days. GC listened halfheartedly as she tried to console herself in her own fashion.
GC only knew Elizabeth through Alanna, but GC always enjoyed Elizabeth’s company, thought her as a wonderful person. No one say this coming, nobody; it was completely unexpected. GC couldn’t think of much else. Unfortunately, such things happened, and there was little that could be done.
Mrs. See decided Future Educators needed to do something; it was a school rule that classes could not sponsor fundraisers, but clubs could. For the next few days FEA would sponsor a drive to donate money to the Medina family to cover funeral expenses.
GC said little about the incident unless asked. She didn’t know whether she wanted to discuss such a touchy subject, if at all. It would take time to come to terms with this. Hopefully GC would cope; with the death of Heath and Uncle Myron, the feelings GC was experiencing were not new. Still, a suicide? Elizabeth Medina?
GC never did find out why Elizabeth took her own life, but Elizabeth would be in her thoughts for a while; hopefully she was at peace and in a better place now.
