Karns City Area School District offers extra support to students
More than 10 counselors were available to Karns City Area School District students Tuesday, Sept. 5, as they returned to class following a long weekend.
They were there to help students and staff deal with a serious injury to quarterback Mason Martin, who collapsed on the field of Diehl Stadium during the third quarter of a game with the Redbank Valley Bulldogs on Friday. He was taken from the field by ambulance and then transported by helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he remains.
The extra support came from the Center for Community Resources in Butler, Slippery Rock University’s CORE counseling center, and surrounding schools for students who wanted to speak to a counselor about the incident
“All of us, our minds, our thoughts and our prayers, they are focused on Mason and his recovery,” superintendent Eric Ritzert said. “This was our first day back since then, and we’re all wearing some form of purple today for him.”
Considering the circumstances, he said Tuesday was a productive day. He complimented his staff’s ability to juggle learning and the emotional needs of students — and their own needs.
Additional counseling is expected to continue as needed.
“This won’t be just today. There’re plans for this to be more than just today or just this week,” Ritzert said. “We want to be mindful of the needs of our students and staff.”
On Tuesday, Moniteau and Clarion area school districts sent counselors to bolster Karns City’s staffing. Other districts had made offers too, which Ritzert said he may consider as needed.
“We’ll be keeping a close eye on it. Some of this help, it’s just a phone call away,” he said.
Ritzert thanked the schools that offered to help and the community for its overwhelming show of support, which began on social media, continued with an in-person prayer vigil Sunday, and further continued Tuesday with students across the state wearing the district’s purple and gold colors.
“It’s been a tremendous outpouring. It really shows they are praying,” Ritzert said.
