Sammi Carr's The Jaguars’ Spot column for Wed., Oct. 10, 2007

Our Tragic Loss

As every single one of you almost surely already knows, one of our very own, VCHS freshman Kas Saunders, was hit and killed by a car Sunday as was riding his bike down Cole Grade after a school event. In the past week VCHS students have united beyond expectations to not only help each other deal with their grief but also to comfort and financially assist the Saunders family.

On Monday, students, most of whom had just that morning learned of the tragedy, joined ASB president David Sichmeller in a prayer group at lunch. Over 100 students participated.

On Tuesday, students began collecting donations for the Saunders family. Principal McCowan told me, “We’re going to be doing this for as long as kids and their families are willing to help.” Contact High School Admin or make out a check to the "Ridgeview Church/Saunders Family Fund" and mail it to either California Bank & Trust (P.O. Box 98, Valley Center, CA 92082) or to Ridgeview Church (P.O. Box 2169, Valley Center). Kas is survived by three siblings being raised by a single mom.

Wednesday we celebrated Homecoming with a “Think Pink” spirit day but most students wore not only pink but purple as well -- Kas’s favorite color. That day, at lunch, over 200 kids filled the quad in their pinks and purples to have a picture taken in Kas’s memory for the yearbook. Towards the end of lunch, Saunders family members arrived and had a special picture taken with the VCHS students who knew Kas best.

Thursday and Friday, students kept collecting and donating money. Sidewalks around school were decorated with colorful chalk memorials and poems dedicated to Kas.

Best of all, VCHS students did all these things completely by themselves, with no planning or urging by administration or teachers whatsoever, purely out of the students’ love and support for Kas and his family. How much did kids raise for the Saunders family? They’re still counting! Check back next week.

Here’s something I betcha didn’t know: (Bold off)

Valley Center and Escondido high schools are holding a College Fair at California Center for the Arts in Escondido from 7 to 9 p.m., Oct. 22. A bus will be on hand to transport students who need a ride, but contact the counseling office by Friday to book a seat. The bus leaves at 6 p.m. and will get back around 9:30 p.m. Colleges from all over California will be there to show you their stuff, so go check it out!

Know something I don't know? Catch me on campus or send me an e-mail at sammi@carrfamily.com. See ya. Sam.