I have been reluctant to insert myself into the events that occurred after the shooting at Perry Hall High School because there is so much work that needs to be done by police, legal authorities, educators, and counselors. But now that a few days have passed, I do want to say a few words.

On the morning of the shooting, I walked from our house to Perry Hall High School. I will always remember the calm procession of students from the high school out to Ebenezer Road and eventually toward Perry Hall Square, where they waited for transportation home. Our police and faculty did an amazing job in an extraordinarily difficult situation.

Jesse Wasmer, the guidance counselor who took quick action on Monday, is a genuine hero who saved countless lives.

It pains me to such a tragedy at any school, let alone my alma mater. But the expression of love and support since Monday’s shooting reminds me of something very special about Perry Hall: this is a big community with a small town heart. We have our problems, and it is very easy to gripe about this or that; I do it myself sometimes. But there is a larger Perry Hall community that pulls together during tough times. We are all praying for the speedy recovery of Daniel Borowy.

So in closing, I would like to thank everyone who took quick action on Monday, and all those who are working to bring a sense of closure and recovery for our Perry Hall community.