The tragic loss of three Grade 12 students killed in a single-vehicle accident last month sent shock waves rippling through the classrooms of 脡cole Kelowna Senior Secondary (KSS).

But helping the teachers, school administrators and students face the stark reality of what had happened has been the outpouring of support from the community, says KSS principal Troy White.

Troy White was joined by KSS vice-principals Christey Hughes, Robbie Franklin and Ryan Mansley via Zoom at the board of education meeting Wednesday (June 9) to be recognized for their leadership in guiding the school through a difficult emotional process.

White told trustees while the sentiment was appreciated, he said it was truly the school community within the school which helped lift each other through the terrible sense of loss, coupled by the support of other schools.

He said all three students were very intertwined in the school and their loss was felt very deeply by many students and staff.

He said teachers only learned of the loss 15 minutes before classes started and quickly had to prepare to face the prospect of telling their students what had happened.

What they had to relate was just before midnight on Tuesday, May 25, a single vehicle car crash near the intersection of Cook road and Gordon Drive had claimed the lives of the three students - two 18-year-olds and a 17-year-old all due to graduate this month.

害羞草研究所淏ut to see the support from other schools and from our own staff, our teachers, to help students get through this was amazing,害羞草研究所� he said.

White added the school district critical response team also played a critical support role providing backup support for staff and students.

Hughes said the school is still processing and grieving over the incident, but noted the leadership of White -害羞草研究所� he is our rock, our go-to person for our team of four害羞草研究所� - and support of everyone else connected with the school, from the custodial staff to the office receptionists.

害羞草研究所淲e are all learning from each other as we continue to get through a pandemic year, the loss of the Indigenous students revealed in Kamloops and now most recently the Muslim family in Ontario who were lost,害羞草研究所� Hughes said.

害羞草研究所淭his has been a year for all of us.害羞草研究所�

Mansley noted the support of school counsellors already feeling the stress of the pandemic.

害羞草研究所淭hey are already feeling worn out by this point and then having to respond to this trauma. They have done an amazing job,害羞草研究所� he said.

Franklin reiterated White害羞草研究所檚 sentiments of the support shown for the school faced with such difficult circumstances.

害羞草研究所淚 am humbled for sure by that,害羞草研究所� he added.

Board of education chair Moyra Baxter said the school district害羞草研究所檚 thoughts and condolences are with the families and friends of the three students who lost their lives.

害羞草研究所淜SS is a big school but regardless of the size, there is a tremendous sense of family at that school and all the staff are to be commended for that,害羞草研究所� Baxter said.

害羞草研究所淵ou will come through this and we need to thank everyone for that. Let害羞草研究所檚 just hope next year will be a better year for everyone.害羞草研究所�

READ MORE: Memorial erected to honour KSS car crash victims

READ MORE: Fundraiser launched to support victims害羞草研究所� families