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Ellen's Words- Kassie Teacher
Ellen's words- Kassie Teacher / Mom (Mother)
Kassie Lynn Hall
When I first met Kassie Lynn Hall I wondered why she was in my Day Treatment class. She was beautiful, quiet, and worked very hard. Not what I was expecting at all.
Kassie became my fashion consultant and I became the thong police. When I would ask her to pull her pants up and her shirt down, she would squeal, “What are you looking down there for?” - and then she’d do what I asked.
There were very few occasions when I saw the side of Kassie that caused her to be in my program, but when she showed you that side, watch out! It drove Kass nuts that her mother and I communicated and shared the same opinion of her love life. We both wanted her to take her time with boys, date a little, fall in love in a few years. We were both sadly disappointed. Kassie thought she was in love and was happy to write about it & talk about it (as long as it was a positive conversation - none of that “slow down and wait a while” stuff).
I will never forget one of her last PET meetings. We were discussing Kassie and her future. As I was talking about what I thought she could achieve with her life, I began to cry. Kassie didn’t know what to do; Ms. Thurston let her know that it was because I felt so strongly about her and her potential. She let Kass know that I was putting myself out there to my superiors because I so believed in her and what she could do with her life. She said, “I’m the teacher’s pet!” I said, “Yes you are, please don’t tell your classmates.” She promised that she wouldn’t and walked in the door the next morning and announced to everyone that she was the teacher’s pet! I had to laugh because she seemed to get so much out of knowing that I cared that much about her. I felt like maybe I was getting through to her in some small way.
The school year ended and summer school started. Early one night Matty called to tell me that three girls had been in an accident and he thought one of them was Kassie. I started making phone calls to find out and Karen called. I went to the hospital to see them both. The week that followed was one of the hardest I’ve ever experienced. I have never watched someone die and the fact that she was so young and full of life made it even more difficult. What was so amazing to me about that week was Karen. She knew that her daughter probably wasn’t going to make it, yet she was there for everyone who came to see her daughter. She would take you by the hand and take you in to see Kassie. Karen would let Kass know that you were there to see her. People would stand around the bed and tell Kassie stories, some sad, most of them funny. We would laugh and cry at the same time, knowing that we would have to hold on to these stories in our memories. Karen handled this time with such grace; I can’t even put it into words. I hope I never have to endure such a trial, but if I do, I hope I can do it as gracefully as Karen did. She let everyone say goodbye to Kassie.
I gained so much respect for Karen during this time. I know that we have lost Kassie, but in her death she gave me a gift. She gave me the gift of her mother’s friendship. I will cherish that forever, just as I will cherish my memories of her beautiful daughter, Kassie
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From Bonnie Klien- Guidance Counslor from school
Bonnie Klien " Guidance Counslor" / Mom
FROM BONNIE KEIN:
Meek, subdued, tame...these are not words that come to mind when I think of Kassie Hall. I remember when Kassie entered Mount View High School in the fall, 2004. She could turn a classroom topsy-turvy in a matter of minutes. She was not one to keep her opinion to herself, but would freely share her thoughts. Kassie spent many hours during her freshman year spouting off in my office while bouncing in and out of the comfy chair and I spent much time talking with her mother Karen.
I always thought of Kassie as a firecracker because she was unpredictable. You would not know what she would say, when she would say something, or to whom and in what manner it would come out. The firecracker, with her snapping blue eyes and flaming gold hair was a bundle of energy.
During her second year at Mount View, Kassie worked diligently to harness her energy to be more productive in school. Kassie was spending less and less time in my comfy chair and had truly turned a corner by the end of her sophomore year. Sadly, this firecracker burned out too quickly and we were left with dull silence.
Of course, Kassie is still with me - I have her picture on the bulletin board by my office desk and I gaze at her daily. I was very proud of how much Kassie had grown during the two years that I knew her, and I always admired her fiery spirit. I wonder what her future plans would be as she graduated from high school? I wonder what contributions she would be making to society as an adult? Then I remember she already gave the greatest gift to others - the gift of life.
I think it is fitting that if Kassie had to leave us, that she did so on Independence Day, and I think this not only because she was independent (because we all know she was). I think the timing is fitting because Kassie is no longer a firecracker that sparks up a classroom; she is now a mass of brilliant fireworks that lights up the entire night sky and we can celebrate her life every Fourth of July for many years to come.
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Kassie Ways
Kept everyone laughing
Absolutely beautiful
Simple things made her happy
Silly to the bone
Inventive
Elegant smile
Spontaneous
Loved her mother very much
Ever lasting smile
Good Friend to many
Adventurous
Countless Good Times
Yelled to the top of her lungs until mom said yes!
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