February 25, 2019 at 11:18AM
Highlands Middle School Principal Michael Howton speaks after the Lilliana Schalck grieving session Sunday. Chris Mayhew, cmayhew@enquirer.com
FORT THOMAS – The embraces of teen girls and adults lasted for minutes during a community grieving session for 13-year-old cheerleader Lilliana Schalck Sunday evening at Highlands Middle School.
The beloved eighth grade student died suddenly over the weekend after falling ill at a competition in Columbus with other teammates from the Park Hills-based cheerleading, dance and gymnastics facility Premier Athletics of Northern Kentucky.
Lilliana Schalck (Photo11: Provided/Allen Ramsey)
She made the Highlands varsity cheer squad as a middle school student. She was a girl other cheerleaders routinely lifted to the top of stunt pyramids.
Members of the varsity cheer team dropped blue spider mums at the base of a photograph of Schalck in her Highlands cheerleading uniform. People handed out blue ribbon pins to wear in her memory.
Students and adults were told by several Fort Thomas pastors that there was no right or wrong way to grieve.
Fort Thomas Independent Schools Superintendent Karen Cheser handed a box of tissues to a female student in the crowd at one point.
A solo acoustic guitarist played during a moment of silence. Students and adults were invited to mingle on the gym floor.
Buy Photo This blue spider mum was dropped by varsity cheerleaders at the base of a photo of 13-year-old Lilliana Schalck during a community grieving service Feb. 24 at Highlands Middle School gym in Fort Thomas. (Photo11: The Enquirer/Chris Mayhew)
People wrote down memories of Schalck on sticky notes that will be shared with her family.
Highlands Middle School Principal Michael Howton told the crowd of hundreds that overflowed the gym's bleachers it was time for the community to act on one of the school's daily morning announcement sayings.
"One of our sayings here is caring for yourself, each other and this place," he said.
Howton said it's time for the community to come together and help each other.
"It's really a time to put your arm aroundsomebody and show some support and just provide that shoulder to lean on if needed," Howton said.
The library will be open as a place where students or teachers can meet with a counselor Monday, he said.
Highlands cheerleaders met privately from 3-5 p.m. Sunday prior to the community vigil, Howton said after the vigil.
A group of staff members met cheerleaders and parents at the school around 11 p.m. Saturday night as well, he said.
Howton said he has been in communication with Schalck's family.
"They have not requested anything of the school district or the school other than just asking that we communicate to everyone that they appreciate the support and the gestures of goodwill and really the messages of love from the people who care about Lilliana," he said.
Read or Share this story: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/ft-thomas/2019/02/24/highlands-cheerleader-lilliana-schalck-mourned-fort-thomas-vigil/2975841002/
Highlands Middle School Principal Michael Howton speaks after the Lilliana Schalck grieving session Sunday. Chris Mayhew, cmayhew@enquirer.com
FORT THOMAS – The embraces of teen girls and adults lasted for minutes during a community grieving session for 13-year-old cheerleader Lilliana Schalck Sunday evening at Highlands Middle School.
The beloved eighth grade student died suddenly over the weekend after falling ill at a competition in Columbus with other teammates from the Park Hills-based cheerleading, dance and gymnastics facility Premier Athletics of Northern Kentucky.
Lilliana Schalck (Photo11: Provided/Allen Ramsey)
She made the Highlands varsity cheer squad as a middle school student. She was a girl other cheerleaders routinely lifted to the top of stunt pyramids.
Members of the varsity cheer team dropped blue spider mums at the base of a photograph of Schalck in her Highlands cheerleading uniform. People handed out blue ribbon pins to wear in her memory.
Students and adults were told by several Fort Thomas pastors that there was no right or wrong way to grieve.
Fort Thomas Independent Schools Superintendent Karen Cheser handed a box of tissues to a female student in the crowd at one point.
A solo acoustic guitarist played during a moment of silence. Students and adults were invited to mingle on the gym floor.
Buy Photo This blue spider mum was dropped by varsity cheerleaders at the base of a photo of 13-year-old Lilliana Schalck during a community grieving service Feb. 24 at Highlands Middle School gym in Fort Thomas. (Photo11: The Enquirer/Chris Mayhew)
People wrote down memories of Schalck on sticky notes that will be shared with her family.
Highlands Middle School Principal Michael Howton told the crowd of hundreds that overflowed the gym's bleachers it was time for the community to act on one of the school's daily morning announcement sayings.
"One of our sayings here is caring for yourself, each other and this place," he said.
Howton said it's time for the community to come together and help each other.
"It's really a time to put your arm aroundsomebody and show some support and just provide that shoulder to lean on if needed," Howton said.
The library will be open as a place where students or teachers can meet with a counselor Monday, he said.
Highlands cheerleaders met privately from 3-5 p.m. Sunday prior to the community vigil, Howton said after the vigil.
A group of staff members met cheerleaders and parents at the school around 11 p.m. Saturday night as well, he said.
Howton said he has been in communication with Schalck's family.
"They have not requested anything of the school district or the school other than just asking that we communicate to everyone that they appreciate the support and the gestures of goodwill and really the messages of love from the people who care about Lilliana," he said.
Read or Share this story: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/ft-thomas/2019/02/24/highlands-cheerleader-lilliana-schalck-mourned-fort-thomas-vigil/2975841002/
Related Posts
Photo: Kacey Musgraves Dresses Up As Cowboys Cheerleader For Halloween - The Spun- Teen pleads guilty to murdering cheerleader pregnant with their baby - myfox8.com
- Teen pleads guilty to murdering cheerleader pregnant with their baby - WGHP FOX 8 Greensboro
- Country Singer Kacey Musgraves Flashes 6-Pack in Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Costume - Yahoo Entertainment
- Carthage College presents 'The Handbook,' a play about discrimination cheerleaders face - Journal Times