VANDALIA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS UNIT DISTRICT 203 1109 NORTH EIGHTH STREET VANDALIA, ILLINOIS 62471 ‘TELEPHONE (618) 289-4525 FAX (618) 283 4107 common oF 15, SUPERINTENDENT November 17, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE itis with great sadness that we gather here today regarding a tragic accident that has resulted in a significant Joss in our schools and in our community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of two beautiful young women, two of our VCHS freshman students, Holly Lidy and Jenna Protz, who were fatally injured in the accident. We also lost two dearly beloved grandparents and Vandal fans, the parents of Mr. Randy Protz. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lidy and Protz family. Our top priority is the well-being of our students who are hurting and grieving, To that end, we have taken several steps to assist them in dealing with ths terrible loss. We have activated our erisis counseling team *¢ be st our scheols, We will meet with our staff to help prepare them assist our students. The support from outside agencies, professional associations and school districts has been amazing and we thank you. ‘The sudden loss of life can have a profound effect on young people so we will provide the necessary supports for our students and encourage their families to talk to their children about their feelings and how they are dealing with this tragedy. “This loss affects everyone in our school family and in the Vandalia community. Our school family is heartbroken, We will do everything we can to help with the healing process and we appreciate our community’s continued support of our students. ‘Words from Holly and Jenna’s friends, teammates, and Coach McNary: Holly was always positive and looked on the bright side in any situation. She was always smiling and could ‘make anyone around her laugh. Jenna was very selfless because she put everyone else before her and wanted everyone to be happy. She did not care what others thought about her. She was always helping others and ‘vould do anything for anyone. Holly and Jenna were both two of the hardest working girls, no matter what they were doing. They cared about everyone and made those around them better. Life will never be the i without them but they will be in our hearts forever. une From a coaching standpoint, these girls were two of the best. They would do anything we ask ‘were always working to get better. They were leaders of their freshman class and made ey ee a better, They will truly be missed by so many of us. is a whole In closing I request that your respect our students and staff who are grieving today and gi and privacy to do so. sive the necessary space