Community Welcomes Franklin Regional Students Back To School
MURRYSVILLE (KDKA) – A week after tragedy struck Franklin Regional High School, students returned to class Wednesday morning.
There was an outpouring of love and support this morning for the students.
KDKA's Ross Guidotti Reports:
Members of the Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church lined the street to welcome the students back.
"We're simply showing our love and our support for the community and our students," Rev. Curtis Paul said.
While greeting the students with a friendly smile or wave, their message was clear.
"They're not alone. That God goes with them, that God is in school, that we can, as a community, make our way from this event of last week," Rev. Marnie Silbert said.
KDKA's Ross Guidotti Reports:
Among the group, was Karen Ingersoll.
Two of her daughters are students at Franklin Regional and her youngest witnessed the stabbings.
"I think they were ready to go back. I think Monday would have been too soon. Yesterday, to get into the building, that was perfect," Ingersoll said.
Inside the school, students found themselves surrounded by well-wishes.
Teachers wore special shirts and so did student ambassadors.
Earlier today, many students braved the cold to attend a prayer service on the football field.
"Incredibly intimate and prayerful. I think there a lot of faith being displayed there and people coming together to hold each other in this time of need," Rich Garland said.
KDKA's Trina Orlando Reports:
For many at Franklin Regional, the healing process has just begun.
But, they are moving forward with a renewed Panther pride knowing that when the unthinkable happened, they didn't just survive.
They thrived.
Last Wednesday, police say 16-year-old Alex Hribal entered the school armed with two kitchen knives. Twenty-four people were injured during the stabbing rampage.
Hribal remains at a juvenile detention center in Westmoreland County.
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