Various efforts made to honor Christenson’s death

Students and staff wore different shades of blue, freshman Carly Christenson’s favorite color, Jan. 9 to commemorate her. She passed away from complications of influenza Jan. 8.

Park’s support team created a plan to help those close to Christenson through the grieving process. Jan. 8, the organization Growing Through Grief came to aid grieving students as they gathered in the main gym during the day, according to freshmen counselor Barb Nelson.

“(The organization) led them through being able to process this and they just had them be together,” Nelson said. “Kids had a chance to share where they were when they heard the news and what kind of impact it had on them. They also signed posters to possibly bring to her family.”

For those continuing to struggle, counselors will offer grief groups Jan. 10 and 11 in the Library Media Center classroom. Nelson said plans for support beyond that are still being created.

“We have bigger plans for making support groups, but those are still in the making as I think some students don’t even know what they will need at this point,” Nelson said.

Students have begun to commemorate Christenson. The boys’ freshman and varsity basketball teams wore a sticker with a photo of Christenson and the phrase “we will never forget” on their jerseys during their games Jan. 8.

The girls’ basketball team members will paint the senior wall Jan. 8 with Christenson’s favorite saying, “your matter, matters,” according to girls’ varsity basketball coach Tim Sension.

Additionally, Student Council plans to paint the senior wall next week for Christenson, similar to what was done when student Andrew Dudley passed away April 25, 2012. Although a time is yet to be determined, students from all grades will be able to put their handprints on the wall as was done for Dudley.