ELKVIEW, W.Va. — The marching band at Herbert Hoover High School in Kanawha County is renown for their pre-game performances of “Amazing Grace.” The performance this Friday night will have added meaning as the student body copes with the loss of a classmate.
“We’re going to have a moment of silence tonight for Leah just before the band plays Amazing Grace,” said Principal Mike Kelly.
He’s been helping his staff and student body cope with the grief in the wake of the sudden and tragic loss of freshman student athlete Leah Strickland. A member of the Hoover girls soccer team, she was killed in a car wreck on I-79 near Amma back on Wednesday night. Leah was the passenger in a vehicle driven by her dad, Michael Strickland who is a coach at Hoover. They were returning home from a soccer match at Braxton County High School.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Herbert Hoover community today as they mourn the loss of Leah Strickland. Leah was a freshman at Herbert Hoover and a member of the girls soccer team. Our hearts go out to Leah’s family and friends; today, we are all Huskies. pic.twitter.com/wnR0B444Xt
— Sissonville High School (@Sissonville_HS) September 1, 2022
Kelly said since then they have been overwhelmed with support from schools near and far.
“There has been an outpouring of compassion of schools from not only the Kanawha Valley, but from throughout the state,” Kelly said.
Hoover plays Winfield in football tonight. Kelly said a peace lily arrived at the school Friday morning from Winfield High School. He said it showed life is bigger than athletic competition.
“It just goes to show you, we’re about to go out there and play a football game and run into each other, but they sent that to show their compassion and support for us and we’re really appreciative,” he said.
In honor of the Herbert Hoover Community we are changing the student section theme to BLUE AND RED to show support❤️💙. MORE THAN A GAME. Sorry to anyone who purchased items for the old theme it will be postponed for another game. pic.twitter.com/UCmEDu51ft
— Patriot Pack (@PatriotPack) September 2, 2022
Other schools are showing similar gestures. George Washington High School’s student section canceled its planned theme for their Friday night game and will instead dress in the Hoover school colors of red and blue as a sign of remembrance and respect.
“We’ve been really grateful. Of course, we’re still grieving here at Hoover as is Leah’s family,” he said.