Appomattox students deal with classmates’ loss

Appomattox County High School students are grappling with the loss of three classmates who were among the eight killed in Tuesday’s shooting.

Appomattox students shared memories of their friends, 16-year-old Ronald “Bo” Scruggs II, of Dillwyn, and 15-year-old Emily Quarles, of Appomattox, at a prayer vigil at Thomas Terrace Baptist Church on Wednesday night.

Both were listed among the dead by Virginia State Police on Wednesday, along with Morgan L. Dobyns, 15, of Appomattox.

“I couldn’t believe it when I first heard it,” Rebecca Shaner said. “I had just seen them Saturday night.”

“I got that text message, and I went to the bathroom and just started crying.”

Chelsie Napier said she was in shock over the news.

“I had seen them Friday during school, and it’s just like, what happened in four days?” she said.

Appomattox County schools will open two hours late today, but school employees are expected to arrive on time.

The delay is to give principals and staff time to prepare to help students in the aftermath of Tuesday’s shootings, Appomattox County Schools Superintendent Dorinda Grasty said.

Grasty said that two crisis response teams and grief counselors will be on hand at schools to help students cope with the tragedy. She is expected to issue a statement at 11 a.m. today.

“There is extreme sadness, tears,” Grasty said Wednesday. “Our goal is to provide what the students need.”

She said the schools would continue to offer guidance and support to students as they receive more information on the victims of the shooting.

She also said that letters would be sent out to parents explaining the schools’ efforts to deal with the tragedy as it continues to unfold.

Appomattox schools were also closed Wednesday for safety reasons, a decision made before the suspect was captured.

Taylor can be reached at (434) 385-5530 or . Thompson can be reached at (434) 385-5547 or .