CORYDON, Ind. — Candles still flickered for Bryce Gerlach the day after hundreds poured through Corydon's streets in mourning Sunday night. He'll be honored Friday night at the Panther's football game versus Silver Creek.
"It showed, and continues to show today, that good and love will always triumph over evil," South Harrison Schools Superintendent Mark Eastridge said, sharing a message from Gerlach's father.
Eastridge spent his morning in Gerlach's school, Corydon Central High. Guidance counselors, therapy dogs and a breakfast provided by a rival school converged to lift the spirits of the grieving senior class.
The trauma hits young people the hardest, the superintendent said. In his four decades in public education, this tragedy struck the hardest. So how do they move forward?
"One word answer: together," Eastridge suggests, "and that's just what they're doing."
Togetherness, that's Harvest Homecoming's trademark. Where friends and family, old and new, bump into each other on the buzzing street.
The Homecoming's president said off-camera they're in talks with the City of New Albany and police department to enhance security at the festival next year.
Saturday night's random, triple shooting, a rarity in the event's fifty-seven year run.
"Immediately after the shots were fired, officers of the New Albany Police Department began life-saving measures for those injured on scene," Chief Todd Bailey said.
Police expect the other two victims will survive, one already released from the hospital.
Gerlach never made it there.
He was less than a week out from enjoying Senior Night. The days his parents planned on spending with football recruiters, picking out a college for their boy, are now reserved for his funeral.
Gerlach's coach tried addressing the team, but couldn't manage through tears.
"So here come the boys out of the stands and walk across the gym floor," Eastridge recalled, "and begin hugging him, And hugging each other. And the other coaches joined in... So as I say, even in the worst of times, you see the best of people."
He's inviting the whole community to the game Friday night, asking they wear Gerlach's favorite color—blue.
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