Tuesday night’s school board meeting came to a difficult pause as Donna Kriger, the School District 83 Superintendent, reflected on the recent tragic loss of three young men.
The weight of the moment was palpable in the room, as educators, administrators, and community members gathered to address an unimaginable sorrow that had shaken the school district to its core.
“This has been an absolutely difficult month in the history of the school district,” Kriger began solemnly, her voice heavy with emotion. “I know as a teacher, those of us in the audience that are teachers, we spend our careers hoping that in some way we’re able to sew good things into the lives of the kids we teach. But what isn’t spoken about quite as often are those things that our students sew back into our lives.”
Kriger paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, acknowledging the depth of the loss felt by everyone in the district. She went on to speak about the three young men whose lives were cut tragically short.
Olly Willmot, a bright and adventurous teenager, lost his life after falling through the ice on Shuswap Lake on February 8. Just a week later, on February 15, a devastating two-vehicle collision on Highway 1 claimed the lives of Carter Kosik and Carter Lawrence, both promising young men with futures ahead of them.
Though Kriger did not personally know these students, she shared the heartfelt stories and memories that had been relayed to her by those who did.
She spoke about their kindness, their thoughtfulness, and their role as sons, friends, and brothers. Their absence, she acknowledged, left an unfillable void in their families and the wider community.
“What I do know is that it has been spoken to me several times that these were three young men who are known to be kind, caring, and thoughtful. They are friends, they’re brothers, they’re sons, and their loss has shaken this community,” Kriger said, her voice faltering as she expressed the deep sorrow felt by so many.
As the room sat in silence, absorbing the weight of the tragedy, Kriger extended her heartfelt condolences to the families of the three young men. “Too soon, but never forgotten,” she stated a sentiment that resonated deeply with those in attendance.
Following Kriger’s remarks, Chair Corryn Grayston addressed the meeting, offering the school board’s sincere and profound condolences. “To the families of those three individuals, and the teachers and the principals and vice principals, staff, family, students, friends, etc., we are so very heartbroken to have learned this news that we have,” Grayston said. Her words underscored the collective grief shared by the entire school district and the broader community.
The loss of these young lives had sent ripples of sorrow through the district, impacting not only families but also the teachers and staff who had worked closely with the students.
Many educators dedicate their lives to guiding and nurturing young minds, and the sudden loss of students they have mentored and cared for is an indescribable pain.
Kriger also took a moment to acknowledge the two other young men who were involved in the Highway 1 collision and who were still in the process of healing.
“I just want to recognize this evening that we also have two young men still healing from injuries, and our hearts go out to their families as well. They continue to be in our thoughts, and we wish them a full recovery.”
As the meeting continued, it was clear that the school board was committed to supporting students, staff, and families through this difficult time. Counselors and resources had been made available to help those struggling with grief, and the district was working closely with the affected families to offer any assistance needed.
In the wake of such immense tragedy, the school board’s meeting was not just about mourning; it was also about coming together as a community.
The words spoken that night served as a reminder of the deep bonds shared within the district, the importance of cherishing every moment, and the power of a community united in both grief and support.
As the meeting drew to a close, one thing remained certain: Olly Willmot, Carter Kosik, and Carter Lawrence would not be forgotten.
Their memories would live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved them, and their impact on the community would endure far beyond their years. The school district vowed to honor their legacy, ensuring that their kindness, thoughtfulness, and friendship would continue to inspire those who follow in their footsteps.
