Education

Kentuckians asked to wear blue and orange Friday in support of Marshall High

Two chairs on Marshall County High School’s bench were kept empty during a basketball game Monday in memory of the victims of a Jan. 23 fatal shooting at the school in Benton. One chair was draped with Preston Ryan Cope’s baseball jersey, and the other had a shirt that said “Be like Bailey” on the back, in memory of Bailey Nicole Holt.
Two chairs on Marshall County High School’s bench were kept empty during a basketball game Monday in memory of the victims of a Jan. 23 fatal shooting at the school in Benton. One chair was draped with Preston Ryan Cope’s baseball jersey, and the other had a shirt that said “Be like Bailey” on the back, in memory of Bailey Nicole Holt. AP

In memory of the victims of last week’s Marshall County High School shooting and in honor of the staff and students, Kentucky Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt is asking Kentuckians statewide to wear the school’s colors of blue and orange on Friday.

Pruitt is asking people to take pictures showing their support and post them on social media with the hashtag #MarshallStrong.

“The healing and recovery process will be long, and after the spotlight on this tragedy dims, it is important that the residents of Marshall County know they are still on our minds and in our hearts,” Pruitt said in a statement Thursday. “Our state’s residents are resilient and pull together in times of trouble. I will be wearing blue and orange on Friday, and hope you will join me.”

The shooting on Jan. 23 left two 15-year-old students dead and 18 other students injured.

Pruitt said many schools have taken on projects to show support for Marshall County High: Danville students are writing cards and signing a banner with uplifting messages. Livingston Central’s cheerleaders presented Marshall County’s cheerleaders with a banner of solidarity during a recent game. There have been numerous postings of support on social media.

Marshall County Superintendent Trent Lovett and high school principal Patricia Greer said the outpouring of sympathy and encouragement has been overwhelming.

Valarie Honeycutt Spears: 859-231-3409, @vhspears

This story was originally published February 1, 2018 at 11:24 AM with the headline "Kentuckians asked to wear blue and orange Friday in support of Marshall High."

Related Stories from Lexington Herald Leader
Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW