Prayer Vigil Held at NCHS after Shooting
By: Sophie Nielsen-Kolding WMBD/WYZZ TV
Updated: September 10, 2012
NORMAL- Hundreds of people gathered on the front lawn of Normal Community High School for a prayer vigil Sunday.
Each one of them wanting to show support to students and staff following Fridays shooting.
It started with a Facebook post from a parent, Julie Heinold. She said she wasn't expecting that many people to show up, and was overwhelmed to see the parking lot fill up. Heinhold said she thought the students would need some support before going back to school on Monday.
"Not all of them, but I think a lot of them are going to be scared when they walk through those doors tomorrow, and anxious at least. And this is just a kind of a way for them to heal," Heinhold said.
"I'm proud of our school, I think we're a tight community," said senior, Mike Dean.
After the mass prayer, people broke into smaller groups. Students told us what they prayed for.
"We just thanked God for all the people coming out today," said Lindsey Peoples.
"Thanked God for the bravery and calmness of our teachers," said Rachel Teague.
"I prayed for the victim, actually the shooter, because I consider him a victim as well. And I just really hope that if there are other students out there like him that we reach them and help them know that it gets better," said Tiffany Lam.
Students also reflected on their feelings about going back to school, back into the building where shots rang out on Friday.
"It was at the beginning of second hour on Friday when it happened. And it was very terrifying. I heard screams so I'm a little, I mean I'm not scared I don't think anything else will happen, but I think it will be a different atmosphere that it usually will on a regular school day," said Teague.
"I think it'll be kind of nerve racking going in there," said Dean.
Peoples said, "Second hour's going to be crazy just because that's where we all were. So seeing all those people again in that room again where we had the code red will definitely be pretty scary."
Dean said he prayed for calmness.
"Just that we're able to move on and have a rest of a fun senior year and it doesn't happen again," he said.
Classes start Monday morning and counselors will be on hand. It's also important to note no one was hurt in the shooting. A teacher wrestled the 14-year-old gunman to the ground.
Each one of them wanting to show support to students and staff following Fridays shooting.
It started with a Facebook post from a parent, Julie Heinold. She said she wasn't expecting that many people to show up, and was overwhelmed to see the parking lot fill up. Heinhold said she thought the students would need some support before going back to school on Monday.
"Not all of them, but I think a lot of them are going to be scared when they walk through those doors tomorrow, and anxious at least. And this is just a kind of a way for them to heal," Heinhold said.
"I'm proud of our school, I think we're a tight community," said senior, Mike Dean.
After the mass prayer, people broke into smaller groups. Students told us what they prayed for.
"We just thanked God for all the people coming out today," said Lindsey Peoples.
"Thanked God for the bravery and calmness of our teachers," said Rachel Teague.
"I prayed for the victim, actually the shooter, because I consider him a victim as well. And I just really hope that if there are other students out there like him that we reach them and help them know that it gets better," said Tiffany Lam.
Students also reflected on their feelings about going back to school, back into the building where shots rang out on Friday.
"It was at the beginning of second hour on Friday when it happened. And it was very terrifying. I heard screams so I'm a little, I mean I'm not scared I don't think anything else will happen, but I think it will be a different atmosphere that it usually will on a regular school day," said Teague.
"I think it'll be kind of nerve racking going in there," said Dean.
Peoples said, "Second hour's going to be crazy just because that's where we all were. So seeing all those people again in that room again where we had the code red will definitely be pretty scary."
Dean said he prayed for calmness.
"Just that we're able to move on and have a rest of a fun senior year and it doesn't happen again," he said.
Classes start Monday morning and counselors will be on hand. It's also important to note no one was hurt in the shooting. A teacher wrestled the 14-year-old gunman to the ground.
