It's a seemingly ordinary day in Colorado City as students rush to class
on their second day of school, but deep down- everyone knows its
special.
"I was passing out some materials and I came across one of her folders, today," said Tammy Johnson, Hailey Dunn's eighth grade English teacher.
"We wish Hailey was here, we wish she was at the high school with the sophomore class,"said Mark Merrell, Dunn's former principal at Colorado Middle School.
Today is Hailey Dunn's 15th birthday, but she's not sitting at her desk to celebrate.
That's because it's been 20 months since the teen went missing.
"We counsel with a lot of different things that bring up those emotions because of different dates that remind us once again that shes not here with us," said Emily Strain, Dunn's former guidance counselor.
Just a few blocks from the school is Dunn's home.
Right beside it her memorial- where one of her best friends Heather Ruth often goes to think.
It's been a tough first week of school for her- without Dunn right there beside her.
"We'd go to school together she was right there, to me its like an empty desk, not knowing shes there," said Ruth.
She's even made a special birthday shirt, but she's not celebrating.
"I know its her birthday but to me it doesn't feel like its a special day because shes not here," said she said.
There inst a cake or even a celebration- that's because everyone here in Colorado City thinks of Hailey Dunn everyday.
"You know knowing that its her birthday and she missed her birthday and her first day of school again and that just drives us that much more knowing that shes missing so many firsts," said Kristy Lloyd, a volunteer searcher.
Dunn may be gone for now- but her image and presence remains almost everywhere.
"We just try to stay positive because our belief is that one day she'll be back," said Johnson.
Because when it comes to Hailey, everyday is just as important in making sure she comes home.
Faculty at the middle school say they've been doing to honor Dunn is offering self defense courses to girls the same age as Hailey was when she went missing.
They've worked with officers from Midland College to teach them basic personal safety skills.
"I was passing out some materials and I came across one of her folders, today," said Tammy Johnson, Hailey Dunn's eighth grade English teacher.
"We wish Hailey was here, we wish she was at the high school with the sophomore class,"said Mark Merrell, Dunn's former principal at Colorado Middle School.
Today is Hailey Dunn's 15th birthday, but she's not sitting at her desk to celebrate.
That's because it's been 20 months since the teen went missing.
"We counsel with a lot of different things that bring up those emotions because of different dates that remind us once again that shes not here with us," said Emily Strain, Dunn's former guidance counselor.
Just a few blocks from the school is Dunn's home.
Right beside it her memorial- where one of her best friends Heather Ruth often goes to think.
It's been a tough first week of school for her- without Dunn right there beside her.
"We'd go to school together she was right there, to me its like an empty desk, not knowing shes there," said Ruth.
She's even made a special birthday shirt, but she's not celebrating.
"I know its her birthday but to me it doesn't feel like its a special day because shes not here," said she said.
There inst a cake or even a celebration- that's because everyone here in Colorado City thinks of Hailey Dunn everyday.
"You know knowing that its her birthday and she missed her birthday and her first day of school again and that just drives us that much more knowing that shes missing so many firsts," said Kristy Lloyd, a volunteer searcher.
Dunn may be gone for now- but her image and presence remains almost everywhere.
"We just try to stay positive because our belief is that one day she'll be back," said Johnson.
Because when it comes to Hailey, everyday is just as important in making sure she comes home.
Faculty at the middle school say they've been doing to honor Dunn is offering self defense courses to girls the same age as Hailey was when she went missing.
They've worked with officers from Midland College to teach them basic personal safety skills.
Comments
anyone interested my name is layla ornelas mcdorman. I have a page on facebook called Porch lights on for hope for Hailey Dunn if anyone is interested to join shoot me a request... We keep the faith we will find her alive!!!
layla l.
August 28, 2012 at 11:02 pm
