KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – The Keene community is invited to gather at Central Square this evening at 6:30 p.m. for a candlelight vigil to honor the memory of a 13-year-old girl, a Keene Middle School student.

The event, organized by parents and community members to also promote kindness and raise awareness, will include a moment of silence to remember the student.

The student suffered a serious medical emergency after school last Thursday, which led to significant discussion on social media over the weekend as well as the launch of a GoFundMe page. In response to the tragedy, the Keene School District has provided mental health resources to support students and staff affected by the incident.

Keene Middle School Principal Michael Smith sent a letter to families on Friday, expressing deep concern for the student’s family and acknowledging the impact on the school community. Smith emphasized that the school was open on Monday evening to provide support from counselors and reassured families that mental health resources would remain available throughout the week, with assistance from Monadnock Family Services.

In his letter, Smith also urged parents to closely monitor their children’s online activity, noting that negative messages had been circulating on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. He stressed the importance of helping children navigate their emotions and avoid the dangers of online negativity. Families were encouraged to utilize resources like TheYouthLine.org and Rapid Response for additional support.

In addition to the vigil, the Keene School District and N.H. School Administrative Unit 29 will host a community conversation on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at Keene Middle School. This event, scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m., will provide a platform for addressing concerns and discussing the incident’s aftermath.

Families with concerns about their children are encouraged to reach out to school counselors or building principals.