[D]UXBURY — The community that has kept five teens alive in memory for the past year now has a permanent place to honor them.
Students and employees at Harwood Union High School dedicated a new gazebo this week to the five high school students who died in a crash with a wrong-way driver on Interstate 89 a year ago.
Four of the teens studied at Harwood, while the fifth went to a New Hampshire high school.
The gazebo honors the late Mary Harris, 16, and Cyrus Zschau, 16, both of Moretown; Liam Hale, 16, of Fayston; Eli Brookens, 16, of Waterbury; and Janie Chase Cozzi, 15, of Fayston.
“Celebrating life is what this gazebo is all about,” school board Chair David Goodman said at the dedication ceremony. “It’s a gathering place — a spot to hang out, to make music, to laugh and cry, to be together. Out of something sad, we’ve made something beautiful. I can’t think of a better way for the class of 2018 to honor the spirit of these five amazing friends, now and for future generations.”
Goodman oversaw the construction of the gazebo, which became the senior class project. The gazebo idea gained traction after the administration heard about a similar structure dedicated to a teacher killed more than a decade ago at Essex Elementary School.
“The fundraising got underway, we met the original goal in three days and extended the fundraising to cover costs for landscaping around the gazebo, possible lighting and future needs,” said Atwood. “The fundraising effort has ended, and we have raised over $19,000. The original cost of the gazebo was just under $9,000.”
The project represents a continuation of the way the community came together after the crash. Students gathered after the news a year ago, and candlelight vigils were an avenue for expressions of grief and love for the five teens. Atwood said she hopes the gazebo will serve as a testament to the young lives lost and their promise.
“The gazebo will be used as a gathering place for the school community for students, staff,” Atwood said. “It is large enough to host classes. We also encourage community members to access it during non-school hours.”
The school’s healing process continues through an array of resources. Officials have made available additional counselors and have therapy dogs to help. Parent forums and wellness activities for students and faculty are also available.
Steven Bourgoin, the man charged in the crash, is facing five counts of second-degree murder in addition to lesser charges.
Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George said no trial date has been set. “We were hopeful that February would be realistic, but I imagine given how many witnesses we have in the case, it may be more like spring,” George said.
