By Julia Gajewski-Nemes ‘15

Through the best and worst times, Sherwood has proven to encompass the traits of its mighty mascot—the Warrior. The strength of the community was unquestionable as it came together after hearing that three of its members were involved in a fatal car accident on August 30 at approximately 1:30 a.m. All three students were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the vehicle, senior Austin Hall, was released from the hospital days after the accident and the front seat passenger, senior Max Dechter, is expected to be transferred from the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore to a rehabilitation center in early October. The backseat passenger, junior Shawn Gangloff, died the following afternoon.

Jackie Dechter, Max’s mother, maintains a journal blog with updates on Max’s condition. Over the past month, he has been recovering from a shattered elbow, three fractures to his neck, and, of greatest concern, trauma to his brain. While he has had many setbacks during his stay in the hospital, he is becoming more alert and responsive and plans to continue his recovery at Mount Washington Pediatric Center.

The Sherwood community has united to commemorate the life of Shawn and support the families of the other two boys involved in the accident. Shawn was an easy-going 15-year-old who enjoyed making people laugh. He was a member of the Sherwood lacrosse team, but also loved to draw, ski, skateboard and play Hacky Sack.

Since the accident, there have been several prayer sessions and small group gatherings held outside of school across the Sherwood community. On August 31, Oakdale Emory Church hosted a candlelight vigil, where friends and loved ones shared their favorite memories of Shawn and exchanged flowers to support one another through the difficult time.

Many have also gathered around the site of the accident to honor his life. Friends of Shawn colored the tree his favorite color, purple, and left him flowers, lacrosse gear, notes, posters, and articles of clothing that held meaning to him. On one poster was a photograph of Shawn with messages written to him: “Keep smiling;” “Rest easy Warrior;” “You brought joy to everyone.” The tree has served as another meeting place in which members of the community join to mourn the death and celebrate the life of one of its beloved members.

Returning to school after Labor Day weekend, students participated in a school-wide “blue-out” in honor of Shawn and the mark he left on Sherwood. Not only were students able to come together during their advisory periods that Tuesday morning, but they were welcome to the Ertzman Theater until lunch to help cope with the tragedy. Students had the opportunity to talk to counselors and sign posters for the three boys and their siblings in order to show their support.

A viewing was held on September 8 at St. Peter’s Church in which members of the community could pay their respects and send their condolences to the Gangloff family. A funeral service was held the following day at St. Peter’s Church, where community members joined in officially celebrating Shawn’s life for a final time.

During the funeral, Shawn’s mother, Allison Gangloff, expressed her hopes that her son’s death could serve as a lesson for his peers. She spoke of parents setting rules for their teenagers and how important it is for teenagers to make good choices. She explained that while it is important to have fun, it is also important to know where “to draw the line.”

Although Sherwood lost a wonderful member of its community, Shawn’s organs were donated and have already been used to improve the lives of seven patients.

May Shawn live on in our memories and may we always remember, in the words of his mother, “Even though Shawn died young, he lived his life to the fullest.”