Fairport High School Remembers Heather Boyum
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: September 7, 2012
The first week of school has come to an end with heavy hearts in Fairport. Friday afternoon, after school, the community remembered teacher Heather Boyum.
A sea of green shirts filled the memorial garden at Fairport High School in honor of Heather. Green was her favorite color.
"Whenever you lose a friend, we are all reminded of our own mortality. Those painful reminders do cause us hopefully to step back and slow down," said Rich Ognibene, a science teacher at Fairport High School.
Since the beginning of the school year, the Fairport teaching community has drawn closer as they reflect on Heather's life.
"There was no preparation, it just happened, and because it was such a senseless death on top of it, for the first week or so, there was so much numbness that people need some time to process," said Wayne Ackles, Assistant Principal.
Heather, a biology teacher, was the "nucleus" of the school family.
"She would assume leadership just because she was so dynamic and intelligent and strong and courageous. People would want to follow her, so she was definitely a nucleus," said Ognibene.
"So connected with people and so dedicated to living life to the fullest and that's something that drew people to Heather, said Ackles.
There was no question where the celebration of Heather's life would take place because the high school was her second home.
"This is the context that we knew Heather, so I think it was very appropriate to celebrate in this context of school. She was a colleague, she was a teacher, she was a friend. We spent more time here together with her than probably anywhere else," said Ognibene.
Heather Boyum may be gone but she will never be forgotten in Fairport.
A sea of green shirts filled the memorial garden at Fairport High School in honor of Heather. Green was her favorite color.
"Whenever you lose a friend, we are all reminded of our own mortality. Those painful reminders do cause us hopefully to step back and slow down," said Rich Ognibene, a science teacher at Fairport High School.
Since the beginning of the school year, the Fairport teaching community has drawn closer as they reflect on Heather's life.
"There was no preparation, it just happened, and because it was such a senseless death on top of it, for the first week or so, there was so much numbness that people need some time to process," said Wayne Ackles, Assistant Principal.
Heather, a biology teacher, was the "nucleus" of the school family.
"She would assume leadership just because she was so dynamic and intelligent and strong and courageous. People would want to follow her, so she was definitely a nucleus," said Ognibene.
"So connected with people and so dedicated to living life to the fullest and that's something that drew people to Heather, said Ackles.
There was no question where the celebration of Heather's life would take place because the high school was her second home.
"This is the context that we knew Heather, so I think it was very appropriate to celebrate in this context of school. She was a colleague, she was a teacher, she was a friend. We spent more time here together with her than probably anywhere else," said Ognibene.
Heather Boyum may be gone but she will never be forgotten in Fairport.
