PIKE CO., Ohio (WCMH)–A community is asking tough questions Monday, as people try to comprehend an enormous loss.
Fifteen grief counselors were available to assist students at Piketon High School, where 16-year-old Chris Rhoden Jr. attended.
Rhoden is one of eight family members killed Friday by an unknown assailant or assailants.
State testing is to take place this week. Prom is on Saturday night. There are just 23 days of school left, but it is not business as usual.
Flags are at half staff outside. Students are grieving together and sharing fond memories inside the school.
Music teacher Dee Penn says, “There will never be another student like Chris Rhoden. Very special guy.”
Penn says she has taught Rhoden for many years. He was in her first period music class and had a good voice, she said.
Student Zachory Clinger says, “I would always look over to his seat where he would sit everyday and just him not being there, it’s rough. I mean, I did not have him there. I just want to talk to him and he is not there to talk to, but I know he is in a better place.”
He shared memories he made with Chris playing in a football field during elementary school.
“I just remember we were sitting there, and my nickname is Bear, and he is like, ‘Hey Bear, thanks for all the memories. I love ya.’ And that just really sets in here,” he said, pointing to his heart.
While Clinger fondly remembered the past, student Skyla Choate was looking forward to the future. She was excited to attend prom Saturday night and see her friend Hanna Rhoden, who was also killed Friday.
“For her not to be here for that, it is going to be very hard on us and our class,” Choate said.
“It’s just a tragic event that happened, that you don’t expect to happen.”
Students and teachers are trying to remember the happier times as they come to terms with this enormous loss.What others are clicking on: