The State College community is mourning the death of a Park Forest Middle School student.
Eight-grader Abigail “Abby” Smith died over the weekend, PFMS Principal Karen Wiser wrote in a message to families on Sunday.
“Abby was a kind, bright young woman who brightened the lives of those around her through her warm smile, caring spirit, and involvement in activities like the symphonic band and school band as well as Girl Scouts,” Wiser wrote.
She previously attended Gray’s Woods Elementary School and has two siblings in the State College Area School District.
In a subsequent message on Monday, district administrators wrote that Abby died by suicide. More than 20 school counselors and mental health professionals were on hand to provide support and facilitate conversations at PFMS, grades 3-5 at Gray’s Woods and other classrooms in the district with personal connections to the loss.
“Though we are just at the beginning stages of this grieving process, from what we witnessed today, we’re confident we will continue to be there for each other,” the administrators wrote. “Seeing all the interactions, we were personally touched by everyone’s strength, empathy, and desire to help those closely affected by Abby’s death.”
The district encouraged families to utilize online resources available for talking with their children about suicide. Immediate support is available by calling 988 for the Center for Community Resources crisis line or using the Safe2Say reporting system.
A meal train and donation page established by Michelle Varrassa for Abby’s family has seen an outpouring of community support. As of Tuesday afternoon, it has raised nearly $35,000.
The district, meanwhile, will continue to provide emotional and mental health support for students and employees in the coming weeks.
“Abby may have passed far too soon, but the memories, compassion and integrity she embodied will live on in our hearts,” Wiser wrote. “Our deepest condolences go out to Abby’s family and all who knew and loved her.”
