“We love these kids.” Penn Hills remembers students recently lost to violence

PENN HILLS, Pa. — “We love these kids, and we’re going to rise up to do whatever we have to do.”

The Penn Hills community is really rallying together following the deaths of four students, and the school district is leading the charge.

Penn Hills School District Superintendent Nancy Hines said community members want others to know the students mattered and are doing all they can to support one another.

“I think our whole community is grieving for these families right now, and that’s one of the beautiful aspects of Penn Hills,” Hines said. “We pull together. We stand together in good times and in bad times, and we lift each other up.”

Penn Hills superintendent speaks on loss of students to violence

For the past month, tragedy has repeatedly hit the Penn Hills community. Three students who had their entire lives ahead of them were lost to violence.

It’s something the Penn Hills community hasn’t experienced before.

“These kids had a name. They had an identity. And we want to, the families to know that, and we are giving the families an opportunity when they are ready to make remarks and posting exactly what they are telling us about their kids and how they want their kids to be remembered,” Hines said.

The most recent loss was that of Jason Jackson, 17. He was found shot to death Monday night near an abandoned house in Penn Hills, police said.

In a tribute, Jackson’s mother said her son was special and will be deeply missed by his family and the community. Hines said she and other school officials have been extremely busy helping students and staff navigate the loss.

“The other day, when I stopped at the high school, I sought out some students who I knew, knew these students very well and just ask them how are you doing,” she said.

“It’s been a privilege to talk to three of the moms in these situations, and I don’t even know what to say. I’m a mom too. I have four kids. I can’t even imagine the pain they must be feeling, and it’s hard to try,” Hines said.

As they try to come to grips with yet another tragedy, community members are determined to stand strong together and not allow violence to define their community.

Grieving Penn Hills families, surrounded by a heartbroken community, came together Thursday evening to remember the lives of four students: Daumier Boyd, Darin Hobdy, Jason Hubert Jackson and Jason Lott. All of them were just 17 years old.

“This is for our community today, for our students, for the kids that may not go to Penn Hills. This is for them. To know we stand with them in unity, love and peace,” said organizer Denise Gram-Shealey.

District officials said that they’re working to meet with law enforcement and other elected leaders to discuss ideas on how to help the area become a safer place.

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