Sydenham High School in mourning

Jeff Green | Feb 25, 2010

Word spread through the Sydenham High School community on Thursday of last week (February 18) that 16-year-old student, Gavin Young, of Perth Road had died in a single car collision south of the village, and that two of his fellow classmates were in Kingston General Hospital.

By Friday the reality was well known to all members of the SHS community and the school began dealing with the impact of the news on the students and the staff.

Gavin Young was a talented athlete, who won the shot- put provincial championship for athletes in grades 8 and 9 when he was only in grade 8.

School Principal Shawn Lehman said it is “always very difficult to deal with losing anybody in a school; it is very hard on everybody because a school is a community.”

Supports from within the school and the Limestone Board have been brought in to help the students cope with the news, and with the injuries faced by Young’s classmates. One of them remains in critical condition at KGH, while thankfully, the other is expected to make a full recovery. At the request of their parents, the identities of the two are not being released to the media at this time.

“There are a variety of different reactions to grief,” said Lehman. “We asked for some supports from educational services from the board and have freed up some of our staff as well to meet with students one on one and in small groups. We also have an adolescent care worker who is part of our school and knows the students quite well.”

A number of memory books have been set up in the school, and that seemed to help a little bit,” said Principal Lehman, “but this is really the initial stage of grieving. The important thing is for everyone to pull together, and that has been happening.”

A memorial service took place at the school on Wednesday night, February 24, which, according to Gavin’s parents’ wishes, was devoted to celebrating Gavin’s life. A funeral was held in Kingston on Monday.