Keystone Heights residents gather for vigil following recent tragedies

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, Fla. (WCJB) – Keystone Heights residents are coming together in the wake of the recent tragic events involving students at Keystone Heights High School.

Keystone Heights residents say they are coping with multiple recent life-changing incidents. During the vigil, the community came together and prayed for their grieving students.

A teacher at Keystone Heights High School said one of her students, Ryder Trull, was in a car accident on Monday evening, August 26, and is still in intensive care.

School officials also say a high school senior was just killed in a car accident. School officials, community members and students are still recovering.

“This weekend has just been a complete shock to all of us, the loss of a student and the car accident,” said Laurie Burke, principal of Keystone Heights High School. “Everybody is just in shock and shocked and just devastated.”

Burke says they are unsure how to cope with these tragedies.

“Honestly, you don’t know. Nobody knows. Go where the need is,” Burke said.

Burke said there will be five grief support counselors on campus for students experiencing grief and that the college will continue to provide support to families who are grieving.

The pastor and coach says he feels blessed to see the community come together and support each other every step of the way.

“I love our community, I love the people here and I’m so grateful. Small towns are special, they really are. The community here is something special,” said Ryan Begue, pastor and high school coach.

Begue says he felt called to share the message with those struggling to recover from recent tragedies.

“Tragedy comes in all shapes and sizes, but what’s most important to me is that every time tragedy comes, no matter how it comes, it reminds us of our need to rely on God,” Begue said.

School staff say they are devastated, but they assure that they will ensure that every student who has to go through this difficult period receives appropriate care.

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