BUCYRUS — Tragedy from the loss of a loved one may hit families and push them into tough times emotionally, mentally and physically, but one local high school senior used his loss as motivation to better others’ lives.
Wynford High School senior Ethan Hall decided to use his senior project to raise money for a cause close to his family, the Crawford County Suicide Prevention Coalition, a volunteer group of professionals and family members that works to bring awareness to the community and how to address the issue of suicide.
Hall lost a family member to suicide during the past year.
“My family went through a great loss, obviously very shocking to everybody, and it’d be nice to know you helped another family not have to deal with the tragedy we went through,” Hall said.
Hall’s mentor, Michael Powers, was in charge of helping Hall with whatever questions or concerns he may have. Powers also is the physical education teacher at Wynford High School, where Hall acts as a gym aid, and said it made sense for him to help Hall.
For his project, Hall decided to host a kickball tournament and use the funds and donations to help fund suicide prevention education in Crawford County. He said it was a fun way to raise money for a serious topic.
He raised more than $1,000 in pledges for his event.
Coalition Chairperson Cindy Wallis, who also is the Director of Programming & Clinical Operations at Community Counseling in Bucyrus, said it was refreshing to have a young person take such an initiative.
“It just gives me energy and hope in young people,” Wallis said. “A lot of people think the young people are more about their video games or social media…but we have a lot of young people who are making a difference in their community.”
Powers said he has known the Hall family for a long time and knew of the hardships the family endured.
“I knew what they’ve been through. I knew it was hard for them, so when Ethan came up to me and asked (for Powers to be his mentor) I knew right away, with no hesitation that I wanted to help him out.”
Powers said being a graduate of Wynford also made it that much more important to continue to help the current and future members of the community he grew up in.
According to Wynford High School Principal Chris Solis, senior projects are designed to use career aspirations or general passions and use them in an educational setting, while possibly educating others as well.
Hall said he enjoyed the experience of giving the donation to the coalition.
“It was great,” he said. “I know that my money is now in the right hands and I have complete trust in them to use it and do what they’re going to do. I’m just glad it’s going to help someone or multiple people.”
Wallis said the program Signs of Suicide is taught in five of the Crawford County Schools and the funds donated by Hall will help keep the program operational.
The coalition also will raise funds at its annual walk May 11.
The group also has a meeting Monday, March 11 at 5 p.m. at Wesley Chapel in Galion.
After inviting Hall to the meeting, Wallis smiled and told Hall perhaps he should look into social work for a career.
He returned the smile and said he plans to attend Wilmington College and study agronomy but looks forward to watching how his project helps make a difference in his community.