The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Tuesday, October 10, 2000

SANDY LAKE, STONEBORO

Community pulls together after fatality
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Counselors help grieving students

By Kristen Garrett
Herald Staff Writer


NESTOR



SMITH

After a tragedy at Lakeview High School, students and community members are coming together to cope with their loss.

Students Mark A. Nestor, 17, of Sandy Lake, and Tara Lynn Smith, 17, of Carlton, died in a Friday afternoon traffic accident at state Route 173 and Cemetary Road not far from the school.

School officials opened the building on Saturday and Monday, when it was closed for Columbus Day, for students who wanted help dealing with the loss. Counselors and members of the local clergy were there to talk to students.

Alan Baldarelli, high school principal, said about 100 students came to the school Saturday seeking the comfort of others.

"They just wanted to be with one another," Baldarelli said.

Mike Anderson, pastor of Sandy Lake Weslyan Church, said the kids are coping fairly well though those who knew Mark and Tara well are more devastated.

Norma Reinhard, school guidance counselor, said Friday night was a real shock to kids in the band. Tara, a junior, was in the band and was supposed to perform that night at the football game.

Ms. Reinhard said the students formed their own little support groups that night and went to each others’ homes.

Baldarelli said students who wish to attend funeral services today for the students are permitted to do so if they have a note from their parents. He said they are also planning a memorial service Wednesday in school.

Some activities throughout the week have been canceled, Baldarelli said. He said homecoming Friday night is not canceled, but some of the activities leading up to the event have been.

"It doesn’t go away overnight," Ms. Reinhard said of the students’ feelings of grief. She said many kids think they are invincible and are now facing their own vulnerability.

The community has really come together to support one another, Baldarelli said. He said Tara’s grandparents went to the school Monday morning to take her belongings from her locker. Baldarelli said the couple commented on how the community has reached out to their family.

The accident occurred just after school when, state police said, a car, driven by Mark and carrying Tara and Mark’s sister Leann, 18, turned left from Cemetary Road onto Route 173 into the path of a pickup driven by Paul E. Estes, 62, of Jackson Center.

Leann was in United Community Hospital in Pine Township until Sunday. No charges were filed against Estes.

Police are asking witnesses to the accident to call 662-6162.



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