Schools, students rally around Morgan High School

ZANESVILLE — On Friday night, rather than a sea of blue, the Maysville High School football field was awash with green: green for hope, green for solidarity, green in support of Morgan High School during its first football game since losing two of its marching band members in a vehicle crash last week.

Green in memory of 15-year-old Donnie Perry and 16-year-old Hannah Lewis.

Parents, students and community members from both Morgan and Maysville were decked out in the color, so much so it was difficult to tell who was from which school. But for some, that was the point.

"It's more than a football game," said Beau Dailey, student ministries director at Rolling Plains United Methodist Church. "There's a lot of rivalry in high school. It shows we can put that aside and show love."

Dailey was at the game with Maysville students from his church to sell 50-50 raffle tickets. Half of the funds raised would go to the winner of the raffle, and half would go to the families to help pay for medical bills and funeral costs. Morgan students Weston Starling, 17, and Katie Stevens, 16, were injured in the crash.

Maysville senior Megan Frank, who was one of the people helping to sell raffle tickets, said being able to help that way made her feel good.

"I think it's important to come together as a (community)," she said.

Morgan junior Adriane Price said she didn't want to come to the game Friday because she knew people would dress in green and would have signs, and she knew there would be a moment of silence during pregame. But she came to support Hannah, whom she was good friends with, and Donnie, and she said she was glad she did.

"It makes us feel really good," Price said. "Every student matters. To see all this is amazing."

Paige Zimmer, a junior at Marietta High School who moved there from Morgan High School last year, said she also knew Hannah. She said the support that Morgan is receiving from both the schools and communities is astounding.

The game on Friday meant a lot to the students, she said, as well as to the band.

"I come to all the football games," Zimmer said. "I guarantee (this one) is a bigger event."

And every time the Morgan High School Marching Raiders took the field, people in the crowd gave them a standing ovation. The game began with a moment of silence after the Maysville marching band played Morgan's alma mater, and members of the Morgan band released green balloons from the center of the field.

During halftime, Morgan played part of its competition show, then was joined by Maysville on the field to play a few songs together. Nearly everyone in the stands was on his or her feet.

"It's important for Maysville to show their support because the (Muskingum Valley League) is such a tight-knit community," said Jason Bunting, Maysville's principal. "At school today, we saw our students and teachers wearing green."

In addition to the 50-50 raffle, Bunting said the Maysville cheerleaders also were selling raffle tickets for Merle Haggard tickets and Masters of Illusion tickets. All proceeds would go to Morgan.

Schools across the area were showing support by wearing green and organizing fundraisers, as well. Amy Young, John Glenn Band Boosters president, said the boosters were selling green T-shirts that say "We Are One" and depict a trumpet and bass drum, Hannah and Donnie's instruments, respectively.

"That night, John Glenn was playing Morgan," Young said about the crash. "It could be any of us."

Young said order forms for the shirts would be sent to all area schools, and members of the community who wanted to order one could go to Four Season Graphics, at 1370 Greenwood Ave., Zanesville. Five dollars from each shirt sold is going to the Morgan families.

"Southeastern Ohio is a community, but they're really a family," Young said. "If there's ever something that you need, they're there for you. ... We are one band."

ksnyder2@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

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Twitter: @KL_Snyder