The Orem community is coming together to cope with the tragic loss of a ninth grader from Canyon View Junior High who died during a school field trip. This incident is compounded by another recent tragedy, where Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University (UVU). In these trying times, the school, parents, teachers, and students are drawing strength from each other, focusing on remembrance and communication.
For those directly impacted, like Lacey Johnson’s son who was friends with the deceased, processing the loss has involved taking a pause from daily activities. “He and his friends chose to stay home today, and sort of process, and they went fishing and they just talked through what they were feeling,” Johnson explained. She noted the impressive supportiveness among students, often sharing uplifting and compassionate messages through group chats.
The community’s response has been heartfelt, extending beyond the school walls. As Anna Greene, President of the Canyon View Junior High PTSA noted, various schools from the city have shown solidarity by providing food, symbolizing Orem’s “love language” of support. Greene has been deeply moved by the outpouring of concern and desire to help. “Today, I have had so many people contacting me asking what they can do, how they can help,” she said.
Both Greene and Johnson acknowledge the dual tragedies at Canyon View and UVU have cast a shadow across the community. Yet, they emphasize the collective effort to navigate their grief together. This communal support provides a beacon of hope amidst the sorrow, exemplifying the unity and resilience of the Orem community in face of loss.