Sarah Higdon Drew 15, RIP
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:37 am
Very sad news was just received of the passing of Dan Higdons granddaughter Sara, daughter of Debbie. She was just 15 years of age. Debbie and her husband Gary live in East Jordan, following is the report posted in the Petoskey News Review:
Car-snowmobile crash claims life of East Jordan girl
By Steve Zucker News-Review Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 11:00 AM EST
EAST JORDAN â?? A car-snowmobile traffic crash claimed the life of an East Jordan teenage girl Monday.
Charlevoix County Sheriff George T. Lasater identified the deceased person as Sarah Higdon Drew, 15.
Lasater said the crash happened at about 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Ellsworth and Ranney roads in South Arm Township.
Police said Sarah was operating a snowmobile in the area and as she attempted to cross the road, she drove her snowmobile into the path of an oncoming vehicle driven by Devin Kurzhals, 18, also of East Jordan.
Sarah died at the scene from injuries she sustained in the crash. Kurzhals was not injured in the crash.
The crash remains under investigation.
Sarah was a ninth-grade student at East Jordan High School and the daughter of Debbie and Gary Drew and Robert Johnson. Kurzhals was an 2007 graduate of the school.
In a news release issued today, Tuesday, East Jordan school officials said counselors and other resources from throughout the community were brought into the school today as students and staff learned Sarahâ??s death.
In a message to students and staff, school administrators cited the need â??to be supportive of Sarahâ??s family, friends and each other.â?
Although school is in session today, students have access to counselors from East Jordan and Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District, as well as other resource people from the community. Students who desired to do so were encouraged to write notes about Sarah to be delivered to her family at a later time.
High School teacher Kathy Stangis recalled Sarah as creative and insightful.
â??I was blessed to have Sarah not only in my ninth-grade English class but also my EDP (guidance) class,â? Stangis said. â??She was a sweet student, who was kind to all. In return, she was respected by all her peers.â?
High school principal Tammy Jackson echoed Stangisâ?? remarks, noting that Sarah was popular and bright.
â??She was a great young lady who exemplified the characteristics that all parents desire in their child,â? Jackson said. â??Sarahâ??s untimely death is truly tragic. She will be missed by all the people she touched.â?
Physical science teacher Rebekah Redmer called Sarah â??a student that radiated independence and confidence (and) this was acknowledged by her teachers and peers."
â??Her friendliness was contagious which made her lovable. Her actions were inspiring, making her a leader never a follower. Sarah had a brilliant mind and was patient and kind to everyone around her; always willing to lend a helping hand,â? Redmer said.
At press time, service arrangements had not been finalized, school officials said.
School Superintendent Chip Hansen said the school will accommodate students and staff who may wish to attend visitations or the funeral.
â??We are very supportive of all our students and staff during this difficult time, both today and into the long term. We will also do our best to be of service to Sarahâ??s family. Our heart goes out to the family and her friends,â? Hansen said.
Car-snowmobile crash claims life of East Jordan girl
By Steve Zucker News-Review Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 11:00 AM EST
EAST JORDAN â?? A car-snowmobile traffic crash claimed the life of an East Jordan teenage girl Monday.
Charlevoix County Sheriff George T. Lasater identified the deceased person as Sarah Higdon Drew, 15.
Lasater said the crash happened at about 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Ellsworth and Ranney roads in South Arm Township.
Police said Sarah was operating a snowmobile in the area and as she attempted to cross the road, she drove her snowmobile into the path of an oncoming vehicle driven by Devin Kurzhals, 18, also of East Jordan.
Sarah died at the scene from injuries she sustained in the crash. Kurzhals was not injured in the crash.
The crash remains under investigation.
Sarah was a ninth-grade student at East Jordan High School and the daughter of Debbie and Gary Drew and Robert Johnson. Kurzhals was an 2007 graduate of the school.
In a news release issued today, Tuesday, East Jordan school officials said counselors and other resources from throughout the community were brought into the school today as students and staff learned Sarahâ??s death.
In a message to students and staff, school administrators cited the need â??to be supportive of Sarahâ??s family, friends and each other.â?
Although school is in session today, students have access to counselors from East Jordan and Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District, as well as other resource people from the community. Students who desired to do so were encouraged to write notes about Sarah to be delivered to her family at a later time.
High School teacher Kathy Stangis recalled Sarah as creative and insightful.
â??I was blessed to have Sarah not only in my ninth-grade English class but also my EDP (guidance) class,â? Stangis said. â??She was a sweet student, who was kind to all. In return, she was respected by all her peers.â?
High school principal Tammy Jackson echoed Stangisâ?? remarks, noting that Sarah was popular and bright.
â??She was a great young lady who exemplified the characteristics that all parents desire in their child,â? Jackson said. â??Sarahâ??s untimely death is truly tragic. She will be missed by all the people she touched.â?
Physical science teacher Rebekah Redmer called Sarah â??a student that radiated independence and confidence (and) this was acknowledged by her teachers and peers."
â??Her friendliness was contagious which made her lovable. Her actions were inspiring, making her a leader never a follower. Sarah had a brilliant mind and was patient and kind to everyone around her; always willing to lend a helping hand,â? Redmer said.
At press time, service arrangements had not been finalized, school officials said.
School Superintendent Chip Hansen said the school will accommodate students and staff who may wish to attend visitations or the funeral.
â??We are very supportive of all our students and staff during this difficult time, both today and into the long term. We will also do our best to be of service to Sarahâ??s family. Our heart goes out to the family and her friends,â? Hansen said.