Instead of talking about the upcoming football season or sharing back-to-school stories on Thursday, New Hope High School students gathered together to remember the lives of two classmates.
Jamerrious Gillespie, 19, died in a June 20 utility task vehicle (side-by-side) accident on Roberts Street in Artesia. Major Long, 15, died from a gunshot wound July 31. The investigation into Long’s death is ongoing.
Classmates shared their memories of the two teenagers during a student-organized memorial led by Jaylon Jones, senior and longtime friend of Gillespie. The hope, he said, was to bring students together during a moment of grief.
“At this time, we have to come together as one,” Jones told his classmates. “Life is too short and precious to continue to bicker about anything. I’m always here for y’all and we’re going through this story together.”
Joined by three other students, Jones shared memories of Gillespie before presenting the two families with posters signed by students and a collection of favorite memories written by classmates. Before leaving, students released blue and red balloons in honor of the two teenagers.
Junior Tyrekus Brooks spoke about his yearslong friendship with Long, whom he had known since kindergarten, and the impact he made on people around in his life.
“Major was a cool person to be around, kept the mood positive,” Brooks said. “… He will always be remembered in this community as a kind, loving person.”
Brooks encouraged classmates to reach out to their peers who might be struggling.
“I know that in a time like this it’s better to stick together because you never know what someone is going through, and simply checking on someone could change a life,” he said.
Senior Jadia Allen, a close friend of Gillespie, shared memories about Gillespie’s personality.
“Every time me and Jam walked in the hallway together, there was never a dull moment,” Allen said. “I miss him so much, and all I’m left with (is) memories. I miss him in the good times and the bad times. To all my younger classmates, cherish your family and friends because you really never know when the last time you will talk to them.”
For her, Thursday’s memorial was a moment of closure after weeks of grief.
“I feel like he’s OK,” Allen told The Dispatch. “He’s doing good. I know he’s proud of me.”
Lori Cargile, NHHS assistant principal, reminded students to lean on each other and seek support when needed.
“These are difficult times that don’t always have answers,” she said. “There’s things that we’re not going to understand on this side of heaven, and so I just want to encourage you to keep being there for each other. Always ask each other if you’re okay. Sometimes just someone caring enough to notice you’re having a bad day gets people to the next day.”
After the memorial, Jones told The Dispatch he hoped classmates walked away seeing more sense in sticking together than “bickering over nonsense.”
“I hope our class can come together,” he said. “Lately we’ve been arguing a lot. … So I hope that this will bring us together. I feel like we shouldn’t have to come together for something so sad. Why can’t we come together and celebrate together as one and uplift each other, other than whenever somebody passes away?”
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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