Unity of Community event highlights strength in coming together one year after Saugus High shooting

After months in the making, the Saugus Secondary school video clip production course premiered Saturday– the anniversary of the harmful college shooting– an hour-plus digital event for the community to join them in continuing to be #SaugusStrong.

The program included music from local middle and secondary school young people, photos and also meetings with pupils and also staff members to recognize victims Gracie Muehlberger, 15, as well as Dominic Blackwell, 14, that lost their lives after a classmate opened fire on the Saugus High university prior to transforming the weapon on himself.

And while much of the emphasis centered on the victims, the video clip highlighted a motif, which was additionally the title of the program: “Unity of Area.”

” No words, no program, no wedding anniversary remembrance can repair that which was irreversibly damaged by that dreadful event on Nov. 14,” claimed Mike Kuhlman, superintendent of the William S. Union Secondary School Area, which worked with the city of Santa Clarita and also the sufferers’ family members to bring forth the digital occasion. “Yet we can act together to develop a much better area moving on.”

” Unity of Area” symbolizes how much the neighborhood has collaborated following the unfortunate events that have actually scarred many, officials as well as pupils repeated.

” We will always remember that Thursday that started so intense however ended so dark,” said Mayor Cameron Smyth in the video. “Nevertheless, out of that darkness came brand-new hope and unity below in Santa Clarita. We saw our area collaborated like nothing else time doing whatever we might to lend a hand, a shoulder, whatever kind of assistance our area participants required, particularly those that are impacted by this disaster.”

From welcoming each other at Central Park three days after the capturing to donations, treatment as well as even the establishment of The GracieStrong and Dominic Blackwell foundations, the community has actually remained to support each other, in hopes of recouping but always remembering, as Saugus High trainee Mia Tretta, one of the three classmates wounded by gunfire, claimed.

” We can move on and be happy once again without ever before neglecting,” she stated, advising trainees that it’s ALRIGHT to still really feel “depressing or mad or regularly tired” due to the fact that “you’re not the only one.”

Addie Koegle as well as Andrew Gardetto, both other survivors, also shared a message on the significance of stamina in the middle of catastrophe.

” Today is a day of remembrance, love and also specifically strength,” stated Koegle.

First -responders, law enforcement, teachers as well as team were also kept in mind for their worthy solutions on Nov. 14. Saugus High Aide Principle Marcus Garrett showed a recently included plaque at the university that commemorates their efforts. Private shadowboxes were additionally provided to Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 111, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station and also private law enforcement officials who were first to reply to the shooting and also aid the injured.

The Muehlberger and Blackwell family members, who gave thanks to everyone for tuning in, shared just how their foundations have actually stepped up to assist the community.

The GracieStrong Foundation, for example, has donated thousands of dollars to other families that have experienced other catastrophes, held a Christmas caroling event that assisted accumulate more than 1,000 tinned goods for those in need and has launched an obstacle to advise students to speak out versus bullying.

” The goal of GracieStrong Foundation is to equip, inspire and support individuals to speak out, understand that their voice is powerful and also matters as well as enable them to fight for their values, and also have their voices heard as well as impact modification for the better future,” said Gracie’s papa Bryan Muehlberger.

The Dominic Blackwell Foundation has actually likewise repaid, with safety and security efforts and donations of laptop computers to pupils in the middle of COVID-19 distance learning.

” And also we do these things, knowing that it won’t ever feel like we’re doing enough,” his mom Nancy Blackwell stated. “We will certainly constantly attempt to do far better, to do more for Dominic since Dominic deserves a lot greater than he was given up this life.”

The Unity of Community event, held basically as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, is anticipated to become a yearly occasion “that unites the community in an extraordinary method,” said Bryan.