The School Committee unanimously approved a cedar bench to be placed outside the Veterans School in memory of student Savanah Gatchell, who was killed in an alleged drunk driving crash in August. She was 13. A 16-year-old Marblehead boy, who was driving, is charged.
Gatchell’s teenage sister, Allysa, was at the Dec. 4 School Committee meeting and cried softly after the vote.
Veterans School educator Elloree Jennings, who knew Savanah, led the effort for the bench and fundraised to cover all costs. Jennings fought back tears as she read notes from some of Savanah’s friends who support the idea.
One girl wrote, “I never thought Savanah would be gone so soon. We hung out one week before she died. I would never (have) guessed that I would never see her again. She was a beautiful girl that got her life taken away unjustly. I love you so much, Savanah, and no one will forget you.”
Another friend and Veterans School classmate wrote: “One day in the summer, these old ladies came up to us and asked us to take their picture. We were laughing about how cute that was. We said that’s definitely going to be us in the future. The last thing she told me was ‘We need to appreciate people in our lives, so thank you for being in mine.’”
Staff from Glover, Brown, Village, Vets and the high school all contributed to the memorial, in addition to an anonymous donor.
The bench will be placed between two trees near the entrance to the Performing Arts Center. It will be engraved with the message: “Donated by the community of Marblehead in loving memory of Savanah Gatchell.” Jennings hopes it will be placed soon after winter vacation.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
