| Henryetta students were shocked to learn of the death of classmate Nate George Wednesday. The sophomore has been fighting cancer for nearly a year and has spent the last seven months in New York receiving specialized treatment. Instead of going to classes Thursday morning, both high school and middle school students gathered in the auditorium and gymnasium to hear administrators tell them grief and sadness is a natural feeling and should not be held in. |
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| “Students will have varied reactions to the death of a peer. Any reaction is normal in the grief process and can range from withdrawal, to crying and anger. I encourage you to openly discuss with your child their reactions and feelings regarding the passing of Nathan,” said school superintendent Dwayne Noble. There were several area pastors at the school Thursday morning to talk with the students. Those counseling services will be available throughout the week. At the high school, Nat’s baseball teammates sat in one section of the auditorium and got up at one point to relate some stories. Students were given cards to fill out and put in a box decorated with photos of Nathan. That box will be given to the family at a later date. Thursday afternoon at the Dewar baseball tournament, a special observance was held prior to the start of the Henryetta-Dewar game. Team members, students and parents encircled the baseball field for a few minutes of reflection and prayer. At one point, the members of the Wetumka team placed their hats in a row on the pitcher’s mound as a sign of solidarity. Gold and black and green balloons were released in his memory. Nate passed away Wednesday. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. April 5 at the high school gymnasium. “We realize this is something difficult for the students to accept and deal with,” Noble said. “We join with the family in their grief and add our sadness at this time.” |
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