For Sammie

Some of you have asked me to share what I shared with my 5th hour class today.

Journal Entry 10/8/09

I lost my first student tonight. Sammie was tragically killed this afternoon in a car accident. I thought I would get to teach for a year or two before I experienced a tragedy like this, but here I am struggling with the death of a 16 year-old girl who was so spunky, vibrant, and full of life. My fifth hour class will not be the same without her smiling face. I'm thinking back through the conversations we had the past couple weeks. We talked about how many bobbypins she had to use to pull her hair back for ROTC uniform days. After class that day, I found a bobbypin under her desk. We talked about colorguard and we compared our sisters. She really was a special young lady with potential and definite leadership capabilities. I don't know how else to express my sadness over her loss. I walked into my own daughter's bedroom after I got off the phone with our principal and kissed my sleeping daughters hoping and praying for Sammie's Dad, Mom and siblings. I cannot imagine losing either of my girls and I cannot fathom the pain Sammie's parents are feeling tonight. I can't believe she's gone--how much more her family? They are in my prayers.