Untimely deaths of four area students hit hard
By Barb Pert Templeton
Choose kindness.
That’s the sentiment Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis expressed while offering his thoughts and prayers to the families of four area students who passed away over the weekend.
The shocking tragedies have hit local communities hard. Many are grieving the losses of
Arianna Squires, 16, from Port Huron and Kevin Karolak, 15, of Algonac, as both passed away on Sept. 14. Travis Cole, 16, of Armada and Logan Bowen, 10, of Lenox, passed away on Sept. 12. Each was an individual incident.
A vigil for Kevin Karolak is scheduled for tonight, Weds. Sept. 17 at the Algonac High School football field.
The Algonac City Council held a moment of silence and offered sympathy and prayers to local families affected by the deaths of four area students in separate incidents last week.
Officials in Algonac addressed the tragedies during their council meeting on Sept. 16. The mayor asked for a moment of silent prayer at the start of the meeting.
“While we keep in mind all the local tragedies we’ve had recently, including one right here in our own Muskrat community, local sophomore Kevin Karolak, please keep his family and all the families in your prayers,” Gillis said.
At the end of the meeting each member of the council took time to address the topic during their council comments. Councilman Michael Bembas was absent.
“Let’s all be mindful and our hearts go out to the tragedies that have taken place in our community and several others,” Carter said. “We never know what somebody’s thinking or where they are at, so let’s be mindful and keep these families in our prayers.”
Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey said the whole thing just breaks her heart and to see a 10-year-old child lost, well she just can’t wrap her head around it. She said what’s out there these days with technology is just so difficult.
“Kids will tell kids to kill themselves; this isn’t just something you read that happens in other places and it’s scary,” Davey said. “What I want to say is we all need to pay closer attention and we need to do what we can do to lower the tone in society right now. And as a member of community mental health, I want to say there are services out there.”
She suggested people talk to their kids and said “it’s hell for them and no kid should have to go through that.”
Councilwoman Cathy Harris sent prayers out to all the families that have loss.
“They are doing a candle light vigil at the high school, on the (Sept.) 17 at 8 p.m. on the football field so anybody that would like to go it’s open to the public.”
Councilman Jake Skarbek
Councilwoman Wendy Meldrum said she feels sad for the families going through the tragedies right now and there are definitely prayers for all of them.
“My heart goes out to the families, not just in Clay Township but the other two communities that lost children over the weekend,” Councilman Jake Skarbek said.
Gillis said he matched all the comments that the council shared and suggested there are choices in life and he recommends people choose kindness.
Prior to the meetings adjournment Skarbek asked to have the floor back and said he wanted to say one more thing.
“With social media it’s not just kids that are getting bullied online, there’s also very ignorantly rude people out there, that post things as keyboard warriors,” Skarbek said. “And you know what we are all humans, we’re all just trying to make it, so this goes out to the kids and the parents, just do better.”
Skarbek said it’s very simple actually, think about it in your head or write it but then delete it there’s no need to post it because that just creates negativity.
“You can’t build a town with negativity, you start brick by brick with positivity, we’re losing businesses, we’re losing the city manager now it’s time that we come into this as a community and start building it up and being positive,” Skarbek said.
“We need to change the tone on so many levels in this country and it starts here,” Davey said.
“We can’t change the world but we can change our community,” Gillis added.
· Algonac Community Schools Superintendent Alan Latosz released a statement following the death of sophomore Kevin Karolak and here’s an excerpt.
Dear Algonac Families,
It is with a heavy heart that I reach out to you today. Early this morning we were informed of the passing of one of our students at Algonac Jr/Sr High School. This tragedy has certainly shaken the entire Algonac Schools family. Our top priority right now is supporting students and staff. We have brought in additional resources to provide grief counseling for anyone in need of extra support. I encourage anyone reading this letter to look out for each other and guide others that need help to the right places. In times like these we must lean on one another for comfort, understanding and support. Please keep this student’s family and loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time.
· A statement from St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King was posted on the sheriff department Facebook page on Sept. 14 was as follows:
“Our hearts and prayers are with Arianna’s family, the high school community, and all of those affected by the tragedies that have struck in the last week. If anyone is in need of help, know there are resources available.” Sheriff Mat King.
