Local News - August 2002

ELHS mourns loss of student

By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer

August 16, 2002 - Lincoln County School officials and students are mourning the loss of an East Lincoln High School student who died Tuesday as a result of a car accident last week.

Grayson Hall, 16, a transfer student from Franklin, N.C. had just finished his first day of school in Lincoln County when his truck veered off the road, down an embankment and into two trees.

Grayson was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center, where he remained in critical condition until around 6 p.m. Tuesday when he died.

Grayson’s death was unexpected, as school officials had reported him slowly improving last week.

And while many people here did not have a chance to get to know Grayson, those who did remember him fondly.

“He was a very nice, mannerly young man,” Jane Parker, East Lincoln guidance counselor said.

Parker met with Grayson and his mother about a week before school started, when they stopped by to register.

On the day of his accident, Grayson had come in to swap a class.

Parker said Grayson switched into an art class.

“He was into art and drafting,” she said. Parker also noticed an interest in golf.

Before coming to East Lincoln, Grayson was a student at Franklin High School.

Principal Gary Shields lived on the same street as Grayson.

“He was a very good citizen,” Shields said. “He enjoyed his music and being with his friends, like all teen-agers.”

Wednesday morning, Shields announced to students the news of Grayson’s death.

Counselors were present to help those who knew Grayson.

Some students who had found out about the accident earlier had stayed home from school that day, Shields said.

The Franklin High School community is planning an informal service before school Friday. Shields wants school members to come together socially out of respect for Grayson’s life, he said.

At ELHS, Principal Todd Black made an announcement Wednesday morning telling students the news.

Regular school counselors were on hand to help students, and two additional counselors came over from Pumpkin Center and East Lincoln middle schools.

“We were available to any student that was upset or wanted to talk,” said Jane Parker, an ELHS guidance counselor.

Many students did not request counseling, since Grayson was a new student and many kids did not personally know him.

“We didn’t have a chance to get to know him, unfortunately,” Parker said. “I think it was harder for teachers and faculty, because he’s another student we lost.”

In a statement Wednesday, Superintendent Dr. Jim Watson said:

“It’s a tragedy when any student loses their life … We are sad at the loss of potential that was within Grayson as he began his year at East Lincoln High.”

While Grayson was in the hospital, some ELHS cheerleaders and their mothers took him banners and cards from the school community.

“We feel for the family,” Parker said, “even though we didn’t know him that well.

“We’re really sorry the family is going through this tragedy — it’s a tragedy for our school.”

Grayson is survived by his parents, David and Karen Hall; an older brother, Barry; and his grandmother, Martha Ballger Chrisman.

Shields said he is sorry Lincoln County residents did not get the opportunity to spend more time with Grayson.

“I’m sorry they didn’t get to know him,” Shields said. “He was a good person.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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