Honoring a Late Classmate
October 26, 2022
Students recently stepped up to honor a late classmate.
Senior Wyatt Willey suddenly passed away on Oct. 12. He was involved in cross country, wrestling, and golf.
At the Oct. 13 cross country meet, the Vinton-Shellsburg team heard about the passing of a West Delaware cross country team member.
“A guy walked up to us and asked if they could take a minute to pray for us,” senior Zach O’Rear said. “We all came together and bowed our heads to remember Wyatt.”
During the fall sports senior recognition on Oct. 14, the boy’s cross country team carried Willey’s senior banner across the football field.
“He couldn’t walk out with us, and it was a way to show respect towards him,” O’Rear said.
In addition, the student section honored Willey by wearing green and purple, representing mental health and suicide awareness.
The Independence student section joined West Delaware’s theme that night as well.
“I was honestly shocked,” senior Lexi Harbach said. “Knowing that a school we are so competitive with was willing to come together and support us made me feel extremely happy.”
