“But the question we have to ask is, ‘How do we move forward?’”
Brandon Allen, pastor of students at Mt. Vernon Church, posed the question to a crowd of students, faculty and family members gathered Thursday at New Hope High School to release pink balloons in memory of Abria Harris.
Harris, 18 and a senior at the school, was the victim of a homicide Saturday near the Columbus Riverwalk. Her body was recovered Saturday after her ex-boyfriend, Dietrix Cunningham, 20, called 911 to report Harris had accidentally shot herself while playing with a gun. An investigation soon determined that Harris had not shot herself, and Cunningham was charged with her murder.
Students gathered at the NHHS flagpole for a moment of silence Monday in memory of Harris. On Thursday, teachers and parents organized a second memorial, where students, friends and family released pink balloons for Harris because pink was her favorite color.
The entire school felt the loss, senior Lonnie Shinn, who was friends with Harris, told The Dispatch.
“It’s heartbreaking for the school and everyone that knew Abria,” he said. “She was a good friend. … She was good. If you knew her, you saw the good. It was just unexpected, and it was sad. It touched everybody in the school.”
Since the week started, faculty and staff at NHHS have worked to support students as they cope with the grief of losing a classmate.
“I think there’s a lot of shock with the students still,” Counselor Jenny Box told The Dispatch. “We’ve gone into classrooms and done a few things, and the students have dropped off letters and cards at the counseling center for the family. We try to just be available, and allow them to grieve the way they need to.”
Pam Wright, who teaches special services at NHHS, helped organize the memorial Thursday. Because many of the students are experiencing loss like this for the first time, Wright hoped the memorial would be a reminder for students that there are people who want to help them navigate their grief.
“(It helps by) just showing that we’re all there for one another,” Wright said. “This morning, we were blowing up balloons, and we had so many people that wanted to help. It’s kind of a bonding event.”
Shinn said the memorials have been a comfort this week for him and other students who were close to Harris.
“(It is) definitely helping the students,” he said. “Seeing everybody come around, even people that didn’t know her, still show love and support and tears. It’s all good. It was good at the pole (on Monday), and today it’s a relief releasing the balloons and everything.”
Moving forward
Box said counselors will continue to be on hand to support students. For parents whose children are dealing with the loss, she suggested keeping an open line of communication so they feel comfortable sharing their feelings. Be patient as they navigate their own grief, she said.
“Just watch for all the different ways that they’re showing their emotions, and find a quiet place to help them talk and understand,” Box said. “Be patient because grief is not a cycle. It’s not linear. It’s all over the place. It’s going to take a lot of time, and some days are going to be harder than others. But just love on them. Let them know you love them.”
As he spoke at the memorial, Allen challenged friends and family members to keep Harris’ memory alive. He encouraged students to look for ways they can support classmates who may need help or even just a friend.
“The best way I can tell you to move forward from here is to remember the great memories,” he said. “Don’t let those memories die. … Think about the moments that you got to spend with her, and as you go … throughout your life, remember her. Remember there are other young ladies out there just like her, who may need a hand, who may need a friend.”
As the school year continues, Box said she and other faculty plan to find new ways the school can honor Harris’ memory.
“When she came (to NHHS), she wanted to do two things,” she said. “She wanted to go to prom, and she wanted to walk the stage at graduation. Although she can’t do those things now, we’re going to find a way to honor her at prom and at graduation.”
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 26 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
