On February 27, 2012, our disposition, outlook and lives were changed forever. A broad variety of immeasurable feelings overwhelmed all of us Hilltoppers along with the entire Chardon community. Slowly, together as one heartbeat, we are recovering from this tragedy. It will take time, without a doubt, but no obstacle is insurmountable for our tight-nit, little town. The tremendous shockwave will forever slant the impression of Chardon High School, unfortunately. The true ability to understand how that day affected the emotions of the student body can never be fully expressed by those who have not personally experienced it. Though, given the time, thought and inner-personal connection, several students and teachers have composed poems of their genuine feelings experienced on that seemingly normal day.
“2-27-12”
Having the mindset of not knowing what’s completely going on
The thought of being scared crosses our minds
But we just don’t know exactly what to think;
Packed tightly against the wall, sitting with familiar faces,
Faces of which are over swept with terror
Teacher’s expression shows that it, indeed, is not a drill,
But a moment in time that will affect our very lives forever;
From this day forth, we will never be known as a small, secluded town,
We will be remembered for what has deeply affected us all
People everywhere will know our name,
A name that we are proud to wear,
Chardon;
We will not forget those who have fallen
Nor this day in which we we’ve experienced
We are red and black
Forever now and always. We stand. Together.
-Samantha Kuzmic
Senior, Chardon High School
“Life”
Life is something god gave us,
That no one takes away.
Evil tries to take it once,
But evil tries in vain.
When we die, we leave our shells,
Our bodies and our hides;
But also sadness, pain, and guilt.
Thus, only evil dies.
Those who died- their souls live on.
They no longer feel pain,
Though we know that this is true,
Our tears may fall like rain.
Some of us heard evil strike,
Some watched it try its best;
But all have witnessed evil fail
At putting Life to rest.
-Brooke Bender
Junior, Chardon High School
“Remember”
Remember the day that shots rang out
Inside our quiet school
The hate that blazed throughout
And innocent blood that pooled.
Remember the fear that drew us close
A bond that is like no other
Of how in fear we froze
Then embraced as warm as brothers and sisters.
We stand today, hopeful as a dove
We hold our hands to wipe the tears
From all of those we love.
The pain we feel is amoung our greatest fears
It shall never truely leave us
But we all stand united
By faith, by love, by trust.
Until that day we are all reunited,
With the ones that we hold dear,
Remember the day we all cried
For pain, sorrow, and fear.
But remember those we truly love, never really died.
-Josh Anderson
Sophomore, Chardon High School.
Along with all the poems composed, critiqued, and cherished by the Chardon High School staff and student body, students from other schools all over Ohio have reached out to help consul us. This is one of the poems that graces Chardon High’s walls:
“Chardon High”
On that quiet Monday morning,
On the hilltop that stands high,
Terror struck without warning,
The kids Of Chardon High.
That day we lost too many friends,
And uncounted tears were cried,
All our strength and love we send,
To the kids of Chardon High.
We know the future will be hard,
And we pray that through the sky,
A thousand angels will fly to guard,
Our brothers and sisters at Chardon High.
-Benjamin G. Harvey
Sophomore, Ledgemont High School.
Everyone here at Chardon High School deeply appreciate all that has been given to us in our time of need. Let it be known, we all stand together in one rhythmic heartbeat, sharing smiles of optimism, loving every second of our lives.