Communal grief creates strength

After losing her close friend of many years in ninth grade, senior Shea Swanson said she knows all too well what it’s like to deal with tragedy.

Carly Christenson died in 2013 because of complications of the flu. Swanson said the experience threw her into disarray.

“It was just so shocking, and then after that obviously it was really crazy and there was a lot of crying and just confusion and that entire day felt like chaos,” Swanson said.

While the St. Louis Park community may understand tragedy better than most schools, principal Scott Meyers doesn’t want to focus on the past: instead, he said he sees loss as a way to help others in the future.

Meyers said he understands why people in the community often comment on Park’s ongoing experiences with death, especially following junior Chloe Amundson’s passing March 3. Meyers said Park can be there down the road for other communities in their time of need.

“You definitely have those questions of, ‘is this fair or not fair,’” Meyers said. “I think it’s more a situation of, ‘it’s our turn and we’re going to take what we learn from this turn and share it with others.’”

Spanish teacher Jane Hudacek knew Andrew Dudley, a student who died in a bike accident in 2012. She said she encourages her students to attend funerals in the community.

“I do tell my students to never miss an opportunity to go to a funeral. It’s important not only to the family, but to process the importance of this person and to honor what they brought to the community,” Hudacek said.

By learning from this tragedy, Meyers said the community can remain strong.