Henry County Schools Support Fairfield

Henry County Schools showed their support for Fairfield this week, amid the death of Fairfield Spanish teacher Nohema Graber last week.

Schools including Mt. Pleasant, New London and Winfield-Mt. Union all wore orange and black this week to recognize and support Fairfield through their loss.

A number of the school districts’ superintendents explained why it's essential to support their neighboring school.

Mt. Pleasant Superintendent John Henriksen said that even though the two schools are considered rivals, they're connected in so many ways other than competition, which led to the creation of #friendsbeforerivals.

"The competition that's on the court is super competitive," Henriksen said. "But we're friends. It's competitive, but it's a friendly competition. We know those folks. Our kids play on some of the same traveling teams and club teams. Yeah, it's a rivalry on the court, but we're connected with them in so many other ways."

The Mt. Pleasant school district is also raising money to help its neighbor.

The high school is selling T-shirts, with the proceeds going to Fairfield. Also, one of the elementary schools will be providing breakfast to the staff.

New London Superintendent Chad Wahls said school districts must come together in hard times.

"In times of struggle, districts need to come together more than in times of celebration," Wahls said. "We need to provide support in whatever way we can. Our students, staff and families that we serve are like one big family, as we all have one purpose, to provide a safe, educational environment."

"Wearing supporting colors is just a small and simple token of showing our sympathy for what the school, kids, staff and community are going through."

New London also decided to raise money for Fairfield by selling slushies.

New London Principal Scott Kracht came up with the idea to have 50 cents of every slushy provided to Fairfield.

School districts were not the only ones to show their support.

The Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance called for area businesses to show their support by wearing orange and black.

"Mt. Pleasant is not an island," Mt. Pleasant Pleasant Chamber Alliance Executive Vice President Kristi Perry said. "The Southeast Iowa region all depends on each other. We have to support each other. When one of our neighbors is going through a trying time, like they are in Fairfield, we owe it to them to show our support and to help them in any way we can."

Comments: hunter.moeller@southeastiowaunion.com