Schools across the state reconsider the meaning of campus safety after the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School on Sept. 8, the gravity of the situation devastating communities outside Winder, Georgia. The shooting prompted conversations about school safety to surface far past Apalachee High School; with the spread of information, the event’s impact made its way to Westminster, nearly 50 miles away. Members of the Westminster community, including students, administrators, and safety officers, shared a grievous sentiment as a result of this shooting. These acts of violence can govern the emotional state of those far beyond the immediate community.
On the morning of Sept. 8, when a gunman opened fire at Apalachee High School, law enforcement swiftly neutralized the threat, arresting the gunman at 10:26 a.m., only minutes after they received notice that shots were fired at the school. Despite this rapid response, however, this act of violence killed four members of the school community.
Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, along with teachers Ricky Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie, lost their lives that day. An additional nine people at the school sustained injuries— eight students and one teacher. The account of this incident circulated to prominent publications such as CNN and Fox 5 Atlanta. At the same time, screenshots of text messages sent from the students to their parents surfaced on social media, while the underlying humanity of the members of Apalachee High School garnered awareness from the public domain and the Westminster community.
Junior Max Rodbell recounts how he heard about the tragedy.
“I first saw news about the shooting on social media, seeing people repost it,” he said. “It’s interesting how our peers spread information. You hear about stuff like this across the country, but it’s a surprise when you hear it so close. That level of closeness to the shooting makes it more of a shock.”
Additionally, a crime of this magnitude opens up discussion of mental health. Following the events of Sept. 4, 80 families of Barrow County—where Apalachee High School is located— received counseling administered by volunteer therapists from across the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Even those not directly involved in the events of a tragedy can experience its effects, evidenced by the spikes of panic attacks and anxiety that typically follow shootings. Some health providers worry about Barrow County’s ability to address their mental health needs sufficiently. The independent mental health facility near Barrow County was overwhelmed following the tragedy; nevertheless, the Barrow County School System and Apalachee High School were given a $1.8 million grant to prop up mental health facilities in schools, supporting members of the Apalachee High School community. However, as echoed by Rodbell, events like these can have widespread impacts, involving members of the broader Westminster community, prompting a series of grave emotions surrounding the incident.
Westminster’s Director of Safety and Security, Steven Spivey, addresses Westminster’s acute emotional and psychological response to the shooting. When discussing the emotions accompanying the shooting, including fear, worry, and anxiety, Spivey offers insights into the protocol by which Westminster Security seeks to operate.
“Any time a tragedy strikes something or someone who we can directly relate to, the impact seems more real,” said Spivey. “I want our security measures to look natural, normal, and friendly so that what we do does not attract attention. All the while, we’re doing our jobs to provide a safe and secure campus.”
Spivey emphasizes that despite many strong emotions surrounding the disheartening events of Sept. 8, Westminster Security is committed to establishing a feeling of safety on campus while preserving the emotional well-being of the students and faculty.
Chanley Small, Head of the Upper School, offers some final words regarding the incident at Apalachee High School.
“At the heart of our Wildcat community are kindness, compassion, and care,” said Small. “Each day, we should reflect on how we treat each other, look out for one another, and step up when someone needs help. It’s the small acts of care and concern we show each other every day that create a safer, more connected environment.”
Small emphasizes the importance of our everyday choices as they create safety in our community. As illustrated by the words of members of the Westminster community, the Apalachee High School shooting possessed an impact felt far beyond Barrow County. Safety protocols in Georgia schools continue to evolve in the wake of this tragedy, but it remains imperative to support victims and those affected while offering condolences and compassion.
Although the shooting affected Westminster in several ways, involving students, safety officers, and administrators, by working together and staying connected, it remains possible to continue building a stronger community as the legacies of those involved in the tragedy live on.
Edited by Lahiri Nooka
