After the emotional event on February 27 the CHS students, who in some way or another were all affected by the tragedy, needed an escape. The escape was offered by the schools providing free transportation to the boys sectional basketball game held at Euclid High School. The Chardon Crazies were the first out of school event after the tragedies that occurred at the school.

            The game temporarily took the students’ minds off what had happened and was the first time the students could all laugh and smile like normal kids once again. Even though the media was there the students and players were not affected by the cameras and fed off of the energy of their fans, and provided a much needed win. Senior Ryan “Scuba” Thompson said, “We fed off the energy for sure! All the players were pumped up and we were feeling it.”

            The Crazies treated this like a normal game except they cheered on Madison along with the Toppers. All of Madison paid tribute to Chardon before, during, and after the game. “It wasn’t about basketball; it was about getting together and getting our lives back to normal,” said senior Nick Ruckel.

              The Crazies along with their normal cheers incorporated cheers such as “We Are Chardon” and “One Heartbeat” which has been the school’s mottos through all of this. The media was surprised to find the Crazies’ roller coaster as a regular act during each game. Senior Ashley Karcic said, “It felt like one big family who was working through all this together. It was a really good therapy.”

            After an emotional win, the team and coaches were escorted over to the Chardon Crazies where they lead in the Chardon Alma Mater song. The Crazies all locked arms and swayed as they sung with their heads held high and tears down their face. Chardon Principal Andy Fetchik said, “Size and spirit was much stronger and more uplifting.”

            This was all from the first game where the basketball team won and then there was another game against Brush. The Crazies came back ten times stronger and ready to cheer for their team.  

            “This time the game was more intense and the students came back in bigger numbers. This was the biggest student section I have ever seen!” said junior Steven Shaker. He was right! This student section had so much heart and came back to Euclid in even bigger numbers.

            Even though the Toppers lost to brush, that didn’t affect the students. Each student just wanted to have fun and enjoy getting out of Chardon. The reason that the team was in the game was because of the Crazies. Cameras were in their faces but they didn’t care. They came out and cheered so loud and with so much heart.

            “Each cheer kept getting louder and louder. I could barely hear the play being called, but we just fed off the energy and gave the students something to cheer for.” Said senior basketball player Mike Ellman.

            These two events meant a lot to the students and everyone in the community. Knowing that the students can feel safe going out again is a great end to a day. The community and everyone else have been so supportive through all of this and each student really appreciates this. It feels like years since this tragic event has occurred but each day keeps getting better and better. We Are Chardon, One Heartbeat.