Gwinn students walk to raise suicide awareness

Gwinn High School’s Youth Advisory Council, in conjunction with the Gwinn Teen Clinic, has been hard at work planning an event to help raise community awareness about suicide.

The second annual P.S. I Love You Suicide Prevention Walk takes place this Saturday. A 3K walk is one of the main events featured in the campaign, which was prompted by the loss of a classmate to suicide.

“It brings to our attention that it’s actually a problem in our school, because we’ve heard about suicides in other schools,” said Y.A.C. Member Katelyn McKeen, “but when it comes to our school, it’s right there, it’s right in your face, and you understand it more, and you realize that we need to pay attention to it and be more respectful to people and not bully others.”

Participants will follow a path along Pine Street from the High School to Gilbert Elementary. This year, the Y.A.C. has planned something a little different for the culmination of the trek.

“Last year, we planted the tree, so this year we had to think of something new, and we thought that a time capsule would be a good way to go, maybe open it in a few years, see what people put in it,” said Natasha Rzanca, also a Y.A.C. Member.

“You’ll find many people that you will have fun with,” added Y.A.C. Member Danielle Wiertella. “It’s a lot of fun, and you’re raising suicide awareness and you are helping the community and you are being part of something bigger.”

Registration for the Suicide Prevention Walk begins at 9:00 a.m. The event itself starts at 10:00. The first 25 to register will receive a P.S. I Love You t-shirt designed by Gwinn High School students.