Messages in chalk

The second or third day after Derek's death, these caught my attention at morning drop-off at school and I found myself having to pull over and search for a Kleenex. A teacher — or someone — had thoughtfully put out buckets of sidewalk chalk so that students could express themselves. I knew rain was in the forecast, and that chalk drawings wouldn't last forever, so my instinct was to turn the car around and return to school, wait until everyone was inside, and take photos of each message to preserve them. Now seems a good time to finally share them, as Derek's mom, Tami, says she worries that in the weeks to come the public might forget Derek as daily life becomes once again routine. My guess, though, is that every day students and teachers arrive at this school, they still remember Derek — even if the chalk drawings have faded and washed away.
— Andra Bryan Stefanoni
"Drama Mama" and PHS Class of 1988