Highland students coping with tragedy: Classmates honor 16-year-old killed in car crash Saturday

Nov 18, 2008 (The Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- WM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Students at Gilbert's Highland High School wore black on Monday in memory of a friend.

The school was hit by tragedy Saturday when 16-year-old Kelly Tracy died from injuries she suffered in a car crash. The vehicle she was riding in was struck by a man who police say was impaired by alcohol.

Kelly was in the car with her brother, Matt, 17. The two were heading to the Gilbert Days Parade, where they were to perform as members of the high school's drum line in the marching band.

The death has left questions for teenagers at Highland and has left several parents hugging their own children, trying to comfort them. Among them is Deadre Baxley, whose son, Ethan, is a senior in the band and is best friends with Matt Tracy.

"We're strong Christians and I have prayed for my children every single day. Some days, that's all you can do," Baxley said. "These kids are realizing life isn't invincible, as most teenagers believe; that bad things happen and they happen to people you know."

To help students and staff cope, a crisis team of more than 20 counselors and social workers was on campus Monday and will be there as needed.

"From what I've seen so far, the students are doing pretty good. There's still a lot of sad faces, a lot of tears," said Kevin Bennett, band director at Highland. "Overall, the kids are trying to do their best to help each other heal from the situation."

Maureen Allison's son, Jay, is a sophomore on the drum line. Maureen and her family attended a church service Saturday night at City of Grace.

The staff there welcomed more than 100 band members and set a place aside for them to talk about Kelly after the service. The Tracy family attends City of Grace, where Kelly was an active member of the youth group.

Allison said she's tried to just be there for her son.

"I went to his drum line instructor and said, 'Please take care of my boys and take care of the kids on the drum line. They're going to come and talk to you before they talk to a parent,'" Allison said.

Nancy Spilsbury, a school counselor for 10 years who now works at Chandler's Basha High School, encourages parents to talk to their teenagers after a friend's death. The death can spark any number of emotions, even if their teen didn't know the student involved.

"Leave that open. Some kids may not be ready to talk," Spilsbury said. "They do have people at the school. They do a nice job of coming into the schools and allowing those kids who need it a little more attention.

"You have to recognize kids are going to respond differently and in their own time, as we all do."

Families can seek outside help as well as request help at the school, Spilsbury said.

After school at Highland on Monday, students comforted each other while gathering around a small memorial outside the band room.

A piece of paper with the words "In memory of Kelly Tracy" was taped to the wall. Balloons, a pair of black shoes, a photo of Kelly and a small, stuffed teddy bear were just some of the items that made up the memorial.

Gillian Kelley, a junior who plays piccolo in the school band, said the mood at school was "really depressing."

Many of the band students wore their black band shirts, and some had yellow smiley-face balloons tied to their backpacks.

Gillian said Kelly had a "beautiful" smile and was "always making people feel good about themselves."

She said Kelly "never held a grudge" and was "always texting" her friends.

"She loved band," Gillian said. "Band is like a family to us. When one of our family members dies, it's just horrible."

The band has set up a fund at Washington Mutual, where anyone can donate to help the family with funeral and medical expenses. Students and their families are gathering food for the Tracy family, creating memorial pieces -- including a patch to be worn on jackets -- and organizing fundraisers.

The band from Gilbert's Mesquite High School is also getting involved, with a carwash planned on Saturday.

Vigil and memorial

for Kelly Tracy

--City of Grace will hold a vigil from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. today in the activity center, 655 E. University Drive.

--A memorial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at City of Grace Mesa Worship Center, with a reception immediately after in the Family Life Center.

--Donations can be made to the Kelly Tracy Memorial Fund through any Washington Mutual branch.

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