Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 2, 1994 TAG: 9406020191
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But the rose means more than sadness; it also symbolizes courage and dignity. It is a reminder that Jason Young Grimm taught his classmates about courage, how to live - and how to die.
Grimm would have been in this graduation if he had not been claimed by leukemia Jan. 29. He was 17.
His death sent a shock wave through the school, even though it generally was known his illness was terminal.
In his honor, Craig's seniors decided to wear yellow roses - Grimm's favorite flower - to show their respect for him. His absence will be marked at the commencement exercise by an empty chair covered with his cap and gown.
But this does not mean that Grimm did not graduate from Craig County High School.
In fact, he did graduate in a special commencement exercise in December - with processional, caps, gowns, music. He was presented with a diploma, the same one he would have gotten in June. That special commencement was a unique event in Craig.
After his illness was diagnosed in the fall of 1992, Grimm spent much of his time in hospitals but continued his schoolwork with the help of a tutor, Jackie Cantley, a science teacher at Craig County High. Even when he was very ill, he continued his studies and never lost hope that he would make it to the June graduation, Cantley said.
He also never lost hope that he would make it back to the school football team.
A bone-marrow transplant from his sister, Dawn, did not produce lasting results. As his condition worsened in December, the special graduation was held. At the same time, he was given his football jersey with number 59, which he wore when he was able to play.
Grimm also summoned the strength to brave cold winds to ride in New Castle's Christmas parade.
Cantley said that Grimm's gift to the graduating class was a lesson in how to set a goal and work toward it with dignity, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Of the 41 graduates, 31 will go on to higher education. Kathryn Lynn Brammer will be valedictorian, and Angela Jeannette Brizendine will be salutatorian.
Seventeen will go on to two-year colleges; seven will go to four-year colleges; and seven plan to attend business or technical schools.
Those headed for higher education will receive about $50,460 in scholarships, according to Earl Smith, the school's guidance counselor.
About $9,000 of the scholarship money is being supplied by Craig County businesses, and the rest is from a variety of sources, Smith said.
Of the 10 not headed for colleges, six plan to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps, and one is headed for the U.S. Army. Three plan to take jobs.
by CNB