Prosecutors say then-17-year-old T.J. Lane, who was at the school waiting for a bus to his alternative school, fired 10 shots at a group of students in the cafeteria. A judge has ordered a psychiatric evaluation to determine if he is competent to stand trial for murder.
Linda Ross, a Chardon High School library/media specialist, outlined the commemoration plans for the school board earlier this week.
“Our goal is to have it as a day of service,” Ross said. “The activities are based on a student survey — what they wanted to do.”
The school will organize activities including making blankets for Project Linus, a nonprofit organization that provides blankets for ill or traumatized children.
Chardon students received blankets after the shootings. “When they received their blankets they just wrapped themselves up in them and got great comfort from that,” Ross said.
Students, staff and first responders will hold an afternoon memorial walk to Chardon Square for a gathering of remembrance and an evening candlelight vigil will be hosted by the city on the square.
On the day before the anniversary, a school commemorative choir and band concert will be held at St. Mary Church across from the school.
The concert and all school buildings will be closed to the media Feb. 27. The school will have added security.
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