Farewell to Patty
5-23-03
By Stacey Creasy
Pilot News
ARGOS � Patricia A. Bennett�s death sent a shockwave through the Argos School Corporation Thursday.
Her friends and classmates remember seeing the vibrant 14-year-old Argos student around the campus Wednesday. By the time many of them went to bed that night, they heard the news, Patricia, better known as Patty, was killed in a massive collision on US 31 near 14th Road, just north of town.
The realization of the crash sunk in Thursday when Patricia did not show up for school. The day began with an assembly informing the students of the tragic news. In her classes, her chair sat, silent and empty.
As the day progressed some grieving students turned to the counselors who were on hand to console the youths. In addition to the Argos counselor, reinforcements were brought in from surrounding schools.
Triton High School Principal Rick Dehne, who once served as principal at Argos High, said Triton sent their counselor to Argos for the day.
Argos students spent the rest of the day saying farewell to their classmate. They built a monument for Patricia and spelled out her name with paper cups in a nearby fence. Some of the students used chalk to leave messages on the sidewalk, while others left hand written thoughts and prayers on the wall , and some students and staff left flowers. By the end of the day an impressive memorial was left at the school.
A memorial service was also held in Centennial Park, allowing her Plymouth friends to bid the teen farewell.
Argos High School Principal Kevin Porter said the monuments will remain up until the end of the school day. Most of the items will be given to Patty�s family.
The memorials sent one clear message, Patty may be gone, but she is not forgotten as her friends and classmates close out the 2002-2003 school year.
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