EHS raises money and awareness for LHS student

Ethan Fine, editor-in-chief|September 23, 2019

2B1A8837
Ethan Fine
Ella Harley, EHS organizer, hoists up a bucket to collect money at the EHS vs. LHS football game, Sept. 20.

 

Lafayette High School lost the life of Brianna Reid, senior, Aug. 2. 

Reid was an active member of the LHS community. She was on both the field hockey and track and field teams. 

Students have been using the hashtag #6ix to show their support for the Reids. Six was Brianna’s number for both field hockey and track.

The EHS Catpound collected funds for Reid’s family during Flex time, Sept. 20. The Reid family has decided to donate the funds to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“It’s amazing seeing Eureka raising money for the Reids,” Megan Kulick, LHS Organizer, said. “It shows that people care and it’s not just me and a handful of people trying to do something helpful.”

Kulick and Brianna had been close friends since elementary school. 

Reid attended Wildwood Middle School, where she befriended several Eureka students, including Ella Harley (12). Harley organized Eureka’s involvement in the fundraising.

“I just really want to help,” Harley said. “Not a lot of people know what’s going on in other peoples’ lives. They don’t know how prominent depression and suicide is in high school teens. I just needed to do something about it.”

 According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 322 million people worldwide live with day-to-day depression. Mental illnesses can affect anyone at any age. 

Additionally, students passed around a donation bucket during the Eureka vs. Lafayette football game, Sept. 20.

Catpound handed out yellow ribbons to pin on for the game to show support for the LHS community and the Reid family. Organizers chose yellow, as it is associated with suicide prevention and easily attracts attention.

Between donations at school and at the football game, EHS raised $1,000 for the Reids. 

The EHS-hub reminds readers to ask for help if needed. EHS has dedicated counselors and social workers available to all students. The suicide prevention lifeline is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-273-8255.