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Last
Graduating Class Reaches New Milestone in Columbine Legacy
Freshman who attended Columbine during the tragedy in 1999 make their
departure as seniors of this year’s graduating class of 2002. Many of
the students of the remaining class connected with the Columbine shooting
attended this year’s third anniversary memorial at Clement Park on April
20th. Among the speakers was a tearful Columbine Principal Frank DeAngelis
who shared his reflections with Columbine’s students, faculty and civic
leaders.
"I feel like we are a stronger community, but a community that is still
healing," he said. "Even though the scars will remain with us forever,
we will continue to heal."
Principal DeAngelis, who assured the Columbine community on several
occasions in the past that he would continue his role as principal until
the last graduating class left, told LFC’s Michael Tamburello that he
plans on remaining at Columbine for now.
“Columbine High is a special place to me. The school has been very good
to me and I am comfortable being here,” said DeAngelis in a peaceful,
resolved voice.
Many students and friends from neighboring schools who graduated the
year of the tragedy were also present. Valerie Haile, who was a friend
of slain Columbine student Rachel Scott, attended the annual event for
the first time.
“Many of us will never know the pain and heartache that the students
of Columbine high school have felt since April 20th 1999,” she said
reflecting on the event. “We can’t imagine the ways their lives have
been impacted that will change their future outside of their high school
years. I believe that the last graduating class, as well as the classes
before them, is leaving a legacy that will impact high schools in Colorado
forever. They are moving on with a sense of respect and love for their
fellow human being and are bringing that into the world with them. They
were forced to face a life-altering, tragic event that took away their
innocence as freshmen at high school and forced to take life more seriously
at a younger age than most.”
Craig Scott, who lost his sister in the shooting, tearfully held a blue
balloon in his during the ceremony and released it as his sister’s name
was called out among the victims. For Craig, who also graduates this
year, the event was an important milestone for him as it help provide
some closure to what has been the most challenging period in his life,
which he nearly lost in the deadly massacre.
Cross builder, Greg Zanis, who built the controversial crosses that
stood on “Rebel Hill” that left an indelible image memories around the
world, returned to Littleton with the original thirteen from Illinois
in an overnight trip with his son Chris.
“It is sad that not as many showed up this year to see the crosses as
in previous years, but it is always nice see many of the same great
people who come to see the crosses annually,” said a tired Zanis who
has made the trip to the annual event with his son every year since
the tragedy. He currently is raising funds for a unique permanent memorial
that would house the crosses in white marble atop a hill near Roxborough
State Park granted to him by a generous donor.
“I have had many offers to house the crosses for permanent exhibit,”
said Zanis. “Even the Smithsonian in D.C. has offered to add them to
their collection. But I believe the right thing to do is to give them
back to the community through the Roxborough memorial.” Zanis hopes
the project will enjoy public acceptance as a tool for healing in a
community still torn over the tragedy of three years ago.
In a recent CNN story, Steve Schweitzberger, whose daughter, Sara, survived
the attack and will graduate this year, summed up the community’s healing
best as he scratched the words “Never Forgotten” into the cold dirt.
He said Columbine must be known for its recovery as much as for the
tragedy itself "We're moving forward," he said as his sentiments reflect
the way many feel here in Littleton.
As the scars will undoubtedly continue to remain open until families
like that of slain Columbine student Daniel Rohrbough, who continue
to search for resolve on several grounds about their son’s death, and
of teacher Dave Sanders whose family claims he would have survived had
SWAT members acted swiftly to rescue him, it may be some time before
they will be able to completely move on with their lives as others have.
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