Editor’s Note: Student Union is written by students at Hampden Academy, Brewer High School, John Bapst Memorial High School, Old Town High School, MDI High School, Ashland Community High School and Schenck High School in East Millinocket. The weekly column is a joint effort among the schools, the Bangor Daily News and Acadia Hospital. This week’s column was written by Old Town High School students. Their adviser is Karen Marley.

On Thursday, Dec. 12, 2002, the Old Town community suffered a tragedy when a car accident took the lives of Stephen Gomm and Gabriel Wood and injured Nathan Gates and Sean Kinch.

Since the accident, the people of Old Town and surrounding communities have come together to support, love and lend a helping hand wherever it has been needed. Since we feel that the circumstances of the accident itself have been covered thoroughly, we wish to take a different approach.

We feel that it is necessary to look back on the lives of the two boys who were taken from us and to highlight what wonderful people they were. We also feel that it is important to make known the gracious efforts put forth by our community.

The generosity extended by the residents of Greater Old Town has been tremendous. Businesses, civic groups and individuals have united to support each other and the families of the four boys during this terribly difficult time in everyone’s lives.

Gabe Wood and Stephen Gomm were both popular students – popular in that they were known and liked by students, teachers and coaches. Before their deaths, each of the boys had been recognized for his athletic accomplishments. Gabe recently had been awarded the coach’s award in golf, and Stephen had won yet another first place in a diving competition. Everyone is hoping that the two boys injured in the accident, Sean Kinch and Nate Gates, will return soon to school to pick up where they left off.

Nate is the No. 1 chess player in the area, with a talent that has brought him success at national chess tournaments; Sean, a four-year member of the swim team, is a charismatic young man who makes everyone smile.

Their impact on others has been evident since the accident. Anyone who walks through the halls of OTHS can see the boys’ names written on virtually every other locker. Students and friends have written messages to Steve and Gabe, telling them how they are missed. These messages are found in the boys’ lockers.

Large posters with messages for healthy recoveries for Nate and Sean hang from the trophy cases in the lower corridor.

It hasn’t been easy for Old Town High School to deal with the accident while mourning the loss of two students. It has been a challenge to see light in such a dark time, and it has been hard to find a reason for such an inexplicable misfortune.

However, in the midst of such tragedy, the Old Town community has united in its support of all involved. The men’s swim team at OTHS raised more than $1,200 for the families. Some students went on their own to collect money from their families and neighbors.

Other schools also were concerned about the tragedy and sent flowers to Old Town High School. Portland, Bucksport, Houlton, Mount Desert Island, Lee Academy, Orono, Bangor, Rockland and Edward Little High School all have sent messages.

The senior class of Penquis Valley High School sent flowers to the OTHS senior class. A group of juniors at OTHS sold Christmas trees and donated more than $400. The local Rotary Club donated money to the families of the victims. People and businesses in the community wanted to help and came to the high school asking what they could do. H.E. Sargent sent food, bottled water and tissue boxes to school the day after the accident to be passed around to students and teachers.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Vayda, local parents, sent doughnuts to the school. Carol Edgecomb, a parent and frequent substitute teacher at the high school, sent Subway sandwiches for students and faculty. Bangor Savings Bank and the University Credit Union opened accounts, accepting donations for the families of Stephen Gomm and Gabe Wood.

Nate Gates’ mother’s co-workers voluntarily donated parts of their paid vacations so that she could take all the time needed to spend with her family.

Many other local businesses, organizations, families and individuals have supported the Old Town community in coping with this tragic event. The number of active contributors from the community is astounding.

Some call the boys friends, and others call them family. But the importance of Steve, Gabe, Nate and Sean to those who love them has extended to many others throughout the area and sparked an overwhelming community response. The warmth of this response has helped so many who were touched by the tragedy.