PCES students, faculty remember storm victims
PHIL CAMPBELL – Even though their school was still standing after the E-F5 tornado blew through the area on April 27, 2011, the students and faculty at Phil Campbell Elementary School lost something much more important that day – a teacher and two students.
Second grade teacher Patricia Gentry, fourth-grade student Ethan Knox, and third-grade student Edgar Mojica were all killed when the tornado came through town.
PCES Principal Jackie Ergle said the past year has been difficult dealing with the loss of people who were so important to the teachers and students at her school.
“Some days you go on with your life and some days you just cry,” Ergle said with emotion in her voice. “We still miss them so much and think about them all the time. But we cope through the love that is still shown to us even today.”
Since the students were out of school on the actual one-year anniversary, they took time last Friday to remember their beloved teacher and classmates by planting colorful pinwheels in front of the school.
“We just wanted to do something where the children could show that they are still thinking about Mrs. Gentry, Ethan and Edgar,” Ergle said.
“We knew the pinwheels would be colorful and cheerful and we want the children to remember the good things about them and all the good memories they have.”
Ergle said they had three sizes of pinwheels: three large ones to represent the three lives lost; several medium ones to represent the homes of students and faculty that were lost; and many small ones to represent the thoughts and prayers of the 464 PCES students.
“Our counselor, Laura Voyles, and representatives from the Healing Place have been there to counsel students and teachers because the past two weeks have been very hard,” Ergle said.
“Planting these pinwheels was good therapy and it was very heartwarming because it was like the wind picked up as soon as we had placed all the pinwheels in the ground. They were spinning and creating just a rainbow of colors, and it was a touching thing to see.”
Ergle said she knew that there would still be hard times in the weeks, months and years because you don’t ever forget the loss of people you love, but she hoped to continue to move forward.
“When we get sad, we have to stop and look at the playground that was dedicated in their memory and all the good things that have been done for our children since that day,” she said. “We know people are still praying for us and that gets us through.”
