(Arapahoe, WY) – Arapahoe Elementary School marked Suicide awareness week and the 25th anniversary of 9/11 this morning with a unity walk.
Guidance counselor Dan Marquart led a ceremony to open the day, remembering those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. A prayer was offered in Arapaho, followed by two songs from a drum group.
Singers play the drum at the start of the suicide awareness march at Arapahoe Elementary Friday morning. h/t Carl Cote Guidance counselor Dan Marqaurt gives opening remarks and asks for a moment of silence for lives lost on September 11th 25 years ago. h/t Carl Cote Students start the suicide awareness march at Arapahoe Elementary School Friday morning. h/t Carl Cote
Then it was time to walk, and students from pre-kindergarten all the way up to high school seniors made a lap around the school together. Many of the oldest kids walked hand in hand with the youngest.
Principal Mindy Doeble said the day fits with the work the school is already doing.
Pre-K teacher LaDeena Bell walks hand in hand with twins Brandon and Rozlyn C’Hair Friday during the suicide prevention walk. h/t Carl Cote Skye Wallowing Bull and Miles Christian walk with Christian’s little brother Kade on the suicide awareness march Friday in Arapahoe. h/t Carl Cote 
Students and faculty walk around Arpahoe Elementary School Friday for suicide awareness. h/t Carl Cote
“We’re very proactive with trauma and trauma-informed, skilled teaching,” Doeble said. “We want our kids to be aware, and aware of where they can reach out to. It’s important to teach.”
Coming together as one school is a big part of it, she added.
“We get together as a group and as a unit because we support each other,” Doeble said. “We’re better together”
Students also had a school pride and jersey day earlier in the week to raise awareness.
Arapahoe Elementary Principal Mindy Doebele stands in front of the school as the high schoolers walk back to their bus. “The Unity Walk is so we can get together as a unit and support each other,” said Doebele. “We’re better together.” h/t Carl Cote Coffee the dog got pets from students at the end of the march Friday morning. h/t Carl Cote
