Belen
“We’re in this together,” was the message Belen High School students received in a sympathy card from the Los Lunas student body.
“They told our Belen family that we are in their prayers,” said Aubrey Tucker, Belen assistant principal. “They wrote ‘we know we are rivals, but we are still the Valencia County community. We are hurting with you.’ We thank them for their words of kindness during our latest sorrow after losing a third student in a car accident in 40 days.”
Keith Norwood, the latest fatality, was remembered by Tucker as a very personable guy. “He had lots of friends. He was real dear to his friends, and they were dear to him. He loved his family a lot.”
Since Norwood has lived in Haggerman, Tucker said, the Belen students were joined by the Haggerman students in sorrow. “We were able to share Keith with another school. So there are actually three student bodies affected by this tragedy.”
With Norwood’s death being the third in 40 days, Tucker said, the Belen High School crisis team and teachers are working to help the students deal with their emotions.
“The students are utilizing the crisis team to talk about their feelings. I think it is helping,” he said. “When we greet our students, we are holding on to them a little longer.”
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
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April 18, 2024
