Community gathers to support Skyline High School after crash kills two students
Strangers from across Eastern Idaho will gather at Skyline High School on Thursday night to show support to Skyline High School students following the death of two freshmen who were killed in a car crash Monday.
“It could have been any of our kids and I would hope that if something in my family happened like this, that I would have the same backing and same support,” Lisa Rhead said.
Rhead, along with students from Rigby High School, Idaho Falls High School and communities across eastern Idaho will cover the sidewalks with inspirational messages in chalk, cover the doors with Post-it notes and leave rocks with supportive messages for students to be greeted with.
“I know a rock seems silly but if it brings a smile to someone’s face and makes their day better, that is what it is about,” Rhead said.
Ivy Vigliotti, 15, and Asher Strubel, 15, were both killed when the Geo Tracker they were in failed to yield at an intersection near 17th South and 45th West on Monday. The car was hit by a Chevy Tahoe. The driver of the Tahoe and a passenger in the Tracker were taken to EIRMC with severe injuries.
“We care,” Rhead said. “Showing the families that they do have the support of the community and that whatever they need, that they will get through it.”
Rhead and dozens of other “Idaho Falls Rocks” members gathered at Kate Curley Park Tuesday to paint rocks for Tuesday night’s event.
“It is a little thing, but it could help someone feel better,” Sandy Briggs said.
The painters didn’t know each other before getting together. The tragedy has brought strangers from communities all across Eastern Idaho together.
“I bleed orange and black, I do,” Rhead said. “I am self-proclaimed to bleed orange and black but school rivalry gets overrode by community.”
The rocks and other inspirational items will be delivered to Skyline High School at 7 p.m. tonight. The public is invited.
The Idaho Falls Rock “rockers” will paint an additional 2,000 rocks to be delivered to the school on Friday.
Counselors will be on hand at Skyline High School throughout the week for students who need them.
