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Thank you for your prayers and support
Apr 7, 2005 8:01 PM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Since the canoeing tragedy last month, the outpouring of support for the families of Sean Wilkinson and Clay McKemie, for Steve Hall and Bryan Evans, for the survivors of the trip and for the entire Darlington community has been immeasurable.
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support the immediate Darlington family has shown, not to mention the letters, calls, cards and other correspondence we have received from alumni near and far,” wrote the McKemie family in a March 14 note to Darlington School. “The Rome community itself has shown our entire Darlington family tremendous sympathy and support while also showing our family the utmost of dignity. The peace that has calmed my family comes from all of those above, but the children transcend everything.”
In Rome and Floyd County alone, numerous area schools and organizations sent cards, notes, flowers and donations, including the Rome City School system, The Floyd County School system, Berry and Shorter colleges, the Georgia Crisis Response Team and News Publishing Company, to name a few. Dr. Randy Pierce and the faculty and staff of Floyd College provided the floral arrangements for the Celebration of the Lives of Sean and Clay, a memorial service held March 9 at Darlington’s Morris Chapel.
“Several local mental-health professionals provided much-needed counseling support, and innumerable kind people called to express their sympathy and with offers of assistance,” said Interim President Jim Hendrix. “It has been both heart warming and of comfort to Clay and Sean’s families and to the entire Darlington community.”
Other schools, from elementary to college-level, were also quick to express their condolences and support. Schools in our region sent notes of encouragement, while one school even dedicated a day in memory of the boys, where students and faculty wore purple ribbons or dressed in purple clothing.
Letters and calls from former faculty, alumni, parents and friends near and far began pouring in immediately upon the announcement that the two boys were missing. Many Florida residents were also quick to express their condolences.
In a note to the School, Gena Agnew (’74) wrote, “As the mother of one of the survivors, I cannot tell you how many calls and cards and e-mails we have received voicing concern for all the families as well as prayers of thanksgiving that Matthew was delivered safely to us. I cannot tell you how many associates around the country called to say their churches and communities were praying for healing and peace for the survivors, Steve and Bryan, and Sean and Clay’s families.”
As one parent said in an e-mail, in times of tragedy the true spirit of Darlington is felt. “The spirit of Darlington is one of accord and compassion … The manner in which the Darlington community has rallied together and around their families is special.”
Internally, several school-sponsored organizations planned memorials for the boys.
In late March, The Darlington Players presented “Actin’ Out,” a collection of various monologues, scenes and musical numbers, in memory of the lives of Wilkinson and McKemie, who were both members of the group. A portion of the funds raised by this event went toward the endowment of the McKemie-Wilkinson Passion Award, which will be presented annually to a freshman cast member who is not a lead, but rather an ensemble member who shows extreme commitment to the program and to the shows in which he or she has been involved.
“[We] felt so strongly that if there had been an award for freshmen already established, Clay and Sean would most definitely be nominated and in the running for it. So we thought it fitting to name this award in their memory,” said senior Lauren Bowling, vice president of The Darlington Players. “Each day, Clay and Sean came into practice so eager and willing to just be a part of the production. They both had ensemble parts, but they wanted the show to be the best it could be.”
A Steel Drum Scholarship has also been established in memory of Wilkinson and McKemie, who were both members of the band. Each year, two $250 scholarships will be awarded to Steel Drum Band members, selected by the entire band, and applied toward the cost of a summer steel drum workshop.
“Sean had definite plans to attend the summer workshop in Morgantown, W.V., this coming summer, and Clay was thinking about it,” said Bill King, band director. “I cannot think of a better tribute to both of these boys than to establish a scholarship to cover the cost of the tuition for two Steel Drum Band members each year.”
The Darlingtonian staff recently held a fundraiser to support the planting of two oak trees on the Upper School campus. The location of the trees and planting date will be determined.
“An oak tree typically symbolizes robust nature, action and independence, qualities not unlike those Clay’s and Sean’s friends associate with them,” said senior Kristin Kountz, editor of the publication. “It is the hope of The Darlingtonian staff that these two strong trees will push our community forward into its next century as they continue to grow and flourish long after we are all gone. The purpose is to create a living memorial to Clay and Sean that will be seen and recognized when we are no longer able to speak of them ourselves.”
The Parents Association is finalizing plans for a memorial that will be both visible and permanent for the school community, according to Emily Hjort, president of the organization. The School has also set up memorial funds in each of the boys’ names.
The Darlington community has expressed its support and gratitude to Suwannee Baptist Church in Florida for providing aid and shelter to the survivors. The School provided the flower arrangements for the church’s March 6 service.
“My family made a donation to the church in Sean and Clay’s memory,” said Agnew. “That church, Mr. Billy Miller, the Coast Guard, the Fish and Wildlife Commission, the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office, that entire community gathered our children and teachers in their arms and did everything possible to help. I cannot thank everyone enough for their prayers and support.”
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support the immediate Darlington family has shown, not to mention the letters, calls, cards and other correspondence we have received from alumni near and far,” wrote the McKemie family in a March 14 note to Darlington School. “The Rome community itself has shown our entire Darlington family tremendous sympathy and support while also showing our family the utmost of dignity. The peace that has calmed my family comes from all of those above, but the children transcend everything.”
In Rome and Floyd County alone, numerous area schools and organizations sent cards, notes, flowers and donations, including the Rome City School system, The Floyd County School system, Berry and Shorter colleges, the Georgia Crisis Response Team and News Publishing Company, to name a few. Dr. Randy Pierce and the faculty and staff of Floyd College provided the floral arrangements for the Celebration of the Lives of Sean and Clay, a memorial service held March 9 at Darlington’s Morris Chapel.
“Several local mental-health professionals provided much-needed counseling support, and innumerable kind people called to express their sympathy and with offers of assistance,” said Interim President Jim Hendrix. “It has been both heart warming and of comfort to Clay and Sean’s families and to the entire Darlington community.”
Other schools, from elementary to college-level, were also quick to express their condolences and support. Schools in our region sent notes of encouragement, while one school even dedicated a day in memory of the boys, where students and faculty wore purple ribbons or dressed in purple clothing.
Letters and calls from former faculty, alumni, parents and friends near and far began pouring in immediately upon the announcement that the two boys were missing. Many Florida residents were also quick to express their condolences.
In a note to the School, Gena Agnew (’74) wrote, “As the mother of one of the survivors, I cannot tell you how many calls and cards and e-mails we have received voicing concern for all the families as well as prayers of thanksgiving that Matthew was delivered safely to us. I cannot tell you how many associates around the country called to say their churches and communities were praying for healing and peace for the survivors, Steve and Bryan, and Sean and Clay’s families.”
As one parent said in an e-mail, in times of tragedy the true spirit of Darlington is felt. “The spirit of Darlington is one of accord and compassion … The manner in which the Darlington community has rallied together and around their families is special.”
Internally, several school-sponsored organizations planned memorials for the boys.
In late March, The Darlington Players presented “Actin’ Out,” a collection of various monologues, scenes and musical numbers, in memory of the lives of Wilkinson and McKemie, who were both members of the group. A portion of the funds raised by this event went toward the endowment of the McKemie-Wilkinson Passion Award, which will be presented annually to a freshman cast member who is not a lead, but rather an ensemble member who shows extreme commitment to the program and to the shows in which he or she has been involved.
“[We] felt so strongly that if there had been an award for freshmen already established, Clay and Sean would most definitely be nominated and in the running for it. So we thought it fitting to name this award in their memory,” said senior Lauren Bowling, vice president of The Darlington Players. “Each day, Clay and Sean came into practice so eager and willing to just be a part of the production. They both had ensemble parts, but they wanted the show to be the best it could be.”
A Steel Drum Scholarship has also been established in memory of Wilkinson and McKemie, who were both members of the band. Each year, two $250 scholarships will be awarded to Steel Drum Band members, selected by the entire band, and applied toward the cost of a summer steel drum workshop.
“Sean had definite plans to attend the summer workshop in Morgantown, W.V., this coming summer, and Clay was thinking about it,” said Bill King, band director. “I cannot think of a better tribute to both of these boys than to establish a scholarship to cover the cost of the tuition for two Steel Drum Band members each year.”
The Darlingtonian staff recently held a fundraiser to support the planting of two oak trees on the Upper School campus. The location of the trees and planting date will be determined.
“An oak tree typically symbolizes robust nature, action and independence, qualities not unlike those Clay’s and Sean’s friends associate with them,” said senior Kristin Kountz, editor of the publication. “It is the hope of The Darlingtonian staff that these two strong trees will push our community forward into its next century as they continue to grow and flourish long after we are all gone. The purpose is to create a living memorial to Clay and Sean that will be seen and recognized when we are no longer able to speak of them ourselves.”
The Parents Association is finalizing plans for a memorial that will be both visible and permanent for the school community, according to Emily Hjort, president of the organization. The School has also set up memorial funds in each of the boys’ names.
The Darlington community has expressed its support and gratitude to Suwannee Baptist Church in Florida for providing aid and shelter to the survivors. The School provided the flower arrangements for the church’s March 6 service.
“My family made a donation to the church in Sean and Clay’s memory,” said Agnew. “That church, Mr. Billy Miller, the Coast Guard, the Fish and Wildlife Commission, the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office, that entire community gathered our children and teachers in their arms and did everything possible to help. I cannot thank everyone enough for their prayers and support.”
