Bloomington Junior High School students are remembering their friend after the shooting death of a student Sunday.
Armoni Bennett was one of four shot and killed in an apparent murder-suicide Sunday night. The 13-year-old was the manager for the girls volleyball team at BJHS. Michelle Rothwell, school social worker, said Bennett will be honored Thursday at 5:30 p.m. during that team’s eighth grade night festivities.
Students have been remembering Bennett by leaving notes in his locker and listening to his favorite music throughout the week, Rothwell said. Students and staff also contributed to a remembrance table with pictures and memorabilia to display at the match.
“I've seen some of the boards. They're beautiful. They're so touching. And it's really going to be a night to celebrate Armoni.”
Pink shirts are also encouraged at the match. Students are wearing shirts that say ‘LLA’ - which stands for “live like Armoni.”
“It's not remember Armoni, but live like him, because he was such a kind, well-liked student who was always giving to others,” said Rothwell.
Rothwell adds many students and staff have been reaching out for support throughout the week.
“It pretty much has been non-stop since Monday morning,” said Rothwell. “We've had district social workers and psychologists from outside our building, who are part of District 87, present in our building for the entire week, helping to support us, support the students and staff, and they will continue to be in the building doing individual and small group work to help us out.”
Processing grief is often an unfamiliar task at such a young age. Because of the large number of affected students, the plan is to continue additional support services at BJHS for as long as they are needed.
“There's no right or wrong way to do grief,” said Rothwell. “Grief, we tell them that some people may cry, some people may not cry, some people might get angry, some people might feel numb. So it's just everybody's gotta do it in their own way and on their own time.”
