Two students from Cleveland High School in Bradley County, Tennessee, were killed in a car crash over the weekend. The school community came together in a moving display of love, support, and memory. At a moving vigil held at Benny Monroe Stadium, members of the school community and the surrounding community recalled and honored the lives of Air’ra Wilson and Shytez Jackson.
As they remembered Air’ra and Shytez, those who attended the vigil did so in an atmosphere of deep meditation and communal sorrow. Their tragic deaths have devastated everyone who was lucky enough to meet the two students, who had a profound impact on the lives of people they were close to.
The devastating car accident ended the promising life of Air’ra Wilson, who was only a few weeks away from graduating. The entire school community is devastated, according to Cleveland High School principal Bob Pritchard. This is especially true as they are approaching what should have been a joyful milestone for Air’ra. It’s going to be tough on May 10th when she doesn’t walk across the stage, and it’s heartbreaking, Pritchard lamented.
The school community was rocked by the news of the accident that happened on prom night. The swift action taken by the school staff in gathering to offer counseling and support to pupils in need was recalled by assistant principal Eric Garner. “We all gathered in the high school lobby yesterday to be there for students who may have needed counseling or support services, so we were there,” Garner recalled.
Both Air’ra and Shytez were renowned for their intellectual prowess and the impression they left on anyone they encountered. Garner gushed about Shytez, calling him an innate leader who had a great impact on his colleagues. When it came to leadership, Shytez was exceptional. His leadership skills and his ability to lift the spirits of his entire class were topics of many of our discussions. According to Garner, he was an exceptional leader.
Like Garner, Shytez’s close friend Moses Wikelund spoke highly of the influence Shytez had on others in his life. To put it simply, it’s quite taxing on me. “But I just know that they had beautiful, beautiful souls and they were the life of any event,” Wikelund revealed, praising the dynamic duo of Air’ra and Shytez for their contagious enthusiasm and lively personality.
After seeing Air’ra mature throughout the years, Pritchard took the news of her death quite personally. Every morning, I would observe her as she attended Mayfield Elementary School. Pritchard reflected, “I can still picture the car coming around the corner there.” This shows how deeply Air’ra affected those who knew her from a young age.
Monday will be the first day of classes without Air’ra and Shytez, adding to the immense sadness felt by everyone at Cleveland High School. There is a noticeable gap in the community as a whole due to their passing, but everyone is determined to remember them and help each other during this tough time.
According to assistant principal Eric Garner, the tragedy has affected not only Cleveland High School but the entire community. As Garner pointed out, the entire community is affected by tragedies like this one, as you all witnessed. This has led to a sense of unity and sorrow among the community members.
Concerns on what may have caused the deadly collision persist as the inquiry into the incident progresses. The investigation is still ongoing, so many people in the town are hungry for answers and closure. We have contacted the Bradley County District Attorney’s office for comment.
Amidst deep sadness and loss, the Cleveland High School community found solace and strength at the vigil for Air’ra Wilson and Shytez Jackson. The community has rallied around the passing of two extraordinary people, paying tribute to their lives with fond memories, sincere remarks, and unfaltering support.