Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry The Class Officers of 2025 Suicide Awareness Committee (from left) Maddy McDunn, Anna Courson, Ella Getner, Charlotte Keyports, Sophie Walker, and Lillyann Hokel are planning a suicide awareness walk for 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at Betts Park.

Students at Warren Area High School are taking steps along a path to better mental health and suicide awareness and to bringing the community together.

The freshman class officers have organized a committee and will hold a Suicide Awareness Walk starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at the DeFrees Pavilion (near the tennis courts) at Betts Park.

“Our school has suffered several losses this year attributed to mental health and suicide,” a sponsorship request letter said.

“We’re trying to bring the community together to make a difference in the environment of our school and the community of Warren,” Co-President Ella Getner said.

An unsolicited donation helped the students put actions to their thoughts.

“The first time we talked about this idea was because we got money from a church to put in our class fund,” Co-President Sophie Walker said.

“It’s fascinating how much this idea has grown,” Vice President Anna Courson said. “Initially, we were planning to do something like a memorial.”

“That memorial has slowly shaped and grown into something that’s going to bring everyone together more than a memorial will,” Courson said. “As long as it stays an annual event and carries on over the years, it will make a bigger impact than we expected and more than I ever expected to be involved in.”

“I believe that this walk can have a large impact on our community,” sophomore class representative Lillyann Hokel said. “We are involving local businesses – not just individuals.”

Advisor Amy Rossman has been providing some information and guidance, but credits the group members with the ideas and the ambition. “These guys came up with this all on their own,” she said.

The students have been visiting local businesses and asking for sponsorships.

“We want to thank our sponsors for their donations and their commitment to this walk,” Secretary Charlotte Keyports said.

The group would welcome more sponsors and can be reached by email at wahsclassofficers@gmail.com or by text at (814) 688-8608.

They have also set up a Facebook page.

During the walk, there will be sponsor areas – tables and tents – where sponsors will be able to share information and materials about their products and services. There will also be food vendors on site.

The funds raised will not only pay the expenses of the 2022 walk, but will be used toward future events.

“The money from the walk will hopefully be used for future walks and events like this one,” Treasurer Maddy McDunn said. “In the future, we hope to fund a scholarship for seniors hoping to go into a mental health field.”

The group members are not on their own.

“It’s not just our group that is working on this,” McDunn said. “So many of our friends have brought ideas to the table.”

Community organizations are also involved.

“I’m very proud of this group,” Kari Swanson of CORE — Choosing Openness Regarding Experience — said. “I love to see young people taking a stand. Unfortunately, it came out of tragedy.”

“CORE is going to do everything to help them with their initiatives of mental health and suicide awareness,” Swanson said. “The good it’s going to do is going to multiply.”

The group is planning to partner with CORE in a Sept. 23 event. September is Suicide Prevention Month.

“When we first started talking about this idea, Kari was here,” Walker said. “She was willing to help us and she was one of the big kick starts to our whole process.”

“We’ve had a lot of help from Allegheny Outfitters,” Getner said. “They were one of our first sponsors, along with CORE. Piper VanOrd is designing our shirts and working alongside IcyyInk to get them produced.”

“We’ve had some very difficult times here at the school,” Flickner said. “These young ladies initiated this… originated this. They have been doing an amazing job of planning it under the guidance of Mrs. Rossman. They’re a remarkable group of young people.”

“Be the change you want to see in the world,” Hokel said.