News & Events

Vardaman Elementary Student Death Revisit

Description: On December 9, 2020, as they got off a loaded school bus, a seven-year-old student and another child were hit by an out-of-control 18-wheeler. The seven-year-old died on the scene, the other child suffered severe injuries. A HOPE team responded during the time frame of the funeral. The team visited the deceased child's classroom for a long visit and then did shorter visits at the other classes at that grade level. The team then moved to another room where, two or three at a time, other children who were affected by the tragedy were brought in to visit with the team. Teachers also came in and visited at that time. The team was asked if they could respond again if/when the siblings of the deceased student returned to school. During the first visit when HOPE color pages were handed out, students asked if there was a Truman color page. Jane Farmer provided two Truman color pages.