A Box For Our Friend, Deryk

Submitted by kate.searle on

 

On October 6th, 2017,  a beloved student here at PHS, Deryk Lowe, passed away unexpectedly. Through the mourning of his death, a few Payson High students took the liberty of tributing Deryk and his family with a beautifully crafted wooden box.

Tyrell Russell, a senior at Payson High School, said that Deryk was involved in the woodshop class, and that is how building a box in Derek's memory came about. Russell states, “We built [the box] for his family… We thought it would be a nice thing for them to put his clothes and blankets and stuff inside.” The boys behind this amazing service are Tyrell Russell, Jordan Draper, Wyatt Monroe, Rhylan Roundy  and Gage Judd.

The box took about a week to construct, carve, and prepare. The boys presented the Lowe family with the box at the viewing, then again at the funeral. (Tyrell Russell and Jordan Draper, 2017). The gesture was powerful and meaningful; Something that can shed a little light on a dark circumstance.

Jordan Draper, a junior at Payson High, said that the main purpose of building the box, was so that the Lowe family could have a piece to remember Deryk by.

It’s apparent that the boys who helped craft the box didn’t do it out of vain, or selfishness. Rather, they did it to show their condolences and love to the Lowe family. When a death occurs so tragically and sudden, there are many ways to handle grief. Anger, frustration, sadness, and confusion are all common reactions and behaviors that occur when tragedy strikes. However, these young men put aside their own feelings, and made something memorable, beautiful and genuine to help a family in, what could be, one of the darkest times in their lives.

Our school was lucky for having had a student as great as Deryk Lowe. Students, faculty, and staff will miss our fellow Lion, and commend those who have honored Deryk’s name in such a meaningful way.

 

Attributions
Hayden McDowell