By DR. DEREK ARROWOOD
Hamilton Heights Superintendent
Update #58 from Dr. Derek Arrowood, Superintendent, Hamilton Heights School Corporation.
This has been a somber week at Hamilton Heights. When our school community experiences a tragedy, such as the loss of a young life, it impacts all of us. While there are no words, what I have seen in the wake of this deadly accident is that the Heights community has a way of wrapping its collective arms around those families and classmates impacted most.
Amid the grief and tears we’ve seen over the past couple of days, we’ve also seen and felt a little more compassion and kindness as we take pause in this painful reminder of the fragility of life and process this crushing loss. Meanwhile, there are three other students who survived the car accident that took the lives of Kalen and her prom date, Lendon Byram. Those students and their families’ lives also changed in an instant and they will continue to need our support, strength, and grace in their healing journey.
Kalen is remembered as a caring and kind young woman with a bright smile and affectionate personality. She loved music and singing, and had the gift of a beautiful voice. Like most seniors, she was excited for prom, graduation, and to head off to college to pursue a degree in education in August. I think Jennifer Kitzmiller, HHHS and HHMS Choir Director, captures the essence of this promising student well in her reflection below:
Kalen Hart
When I first met Kalen, she was a little bit scared of her own voice. However, it didn’t take her long to grow into a confident soprano who was full of conviction and spirit for her fellow singers. She believed we could always do better and was never afraid of saying so. Kalen spurred us ever forward in her own way.
When we began this wild 2020-21 school year, I asked all my choir singers to make two different pie charts. The first depicting what made up the choir experience before COVID, and the second depicting what they hoped choir would include despite COVID. Both of Kalen’s pie charts tell a story that was key to knowing who she was: that no matter what, we should always spend the majority of our efforts focused on friendship and love. She is beloved and her presence, personality, and voice is sorely missed by us all.
Perhaps the best way we can pay tribute and remember Kalen is to take to heart the way she lived her life – through kindness, friendship, song, and love. Even though our hearts are heavy, let’s continue to lean on each other for comfort and courage as we mourn the lives of two young people taken too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with these families and the students at this incredibly difficult time.
For Kalen’s visitation and funeral arrangements, click here. To access additional resources to help with the grieving process, trauma, and stress, click here.
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