Charlie Breitrose
Watertown High School students gathered at Victory Field Saturday to remember their classmate who took his own life.
Saturday afternoon, group of Watertown High School students gathered at Victory Field and exchanged hugs, attempted to light candles in a frigid wind and remembered their classmate who ended his life a week ago.
The 40 or so students, parents, and others held a candle light vigil next to the court where their friend, Adonis, used to spend afternoons playing basketball.
They huddled together, stunned and saddened by the suicide of their friend and classmate. The vigil was organized by WHS students who spread the word over Facebook.
Fellow WHS sophomore Abraham Fuentes remembered Adonis as a happy guy who always had a smile. But he also struggled with depression.
“He talked to me about his problems,” Fuentes said. “I tried to help him, but it got too much for him.”
Charlie Breitrose
Tributes to Adonis, a Watertown High School sophomore left by classmates next to the courts where he played basketball.
A few students spoke during the vigil. Some talked about how people should be aware of how their words can impact others. Others said they would be there for anyone who going through hard times and want to talk with someone.
William Chase, whose daughter helped organize the vigil, gave students something to think about.
“No matter what you are going through you should never choose a permanent solution for a temporary problem,” Chase said.
Charlie Breitrose
Watertown High School students remembered their fallen classmate and talked about how to avoid another such tragedy.
When news of the suicide of a Watertown High School student spread, the school made counselors available for students who wanted to talk about it, said Dean of Students Brian Brewer, who attended the vigil along with Principal Shirley Lundberg.
The school, however, did not have an assembly to talk about the loss of the WHS student.
“The kids took control and wanted to do their own thing,” Brewer said. “The experts say not to do a huge assembly. They say to take care of the people hurting the most.”