By Leah Peloff ’18

On Sunday, October 29, a recent Sherwood alum, 22-year-old Marissa Harris, was driving down I-66 when a 12-year-old boy jumped off Cedar Lane overpass in an attempt to end his life. In a devastating accident, the boy landed on the car driven by Harris. Her boyfriend was able to steer the car off the road to avoid hitting any other cars, but Harris was pronounced dead at the scene. The boy survived and was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

Harris had a successful past and a bright future ahead of her. She recently graduated from Towson University (after attending Marymount University her freshman year) and was studying clinical counseling and mental health. “She was someone who wanted to help others who were either disadvantaged or needed more assistance to work through mental distress” said Harris’s college professor in an article in the Washington Post. Harris’s parents added, “She was caring. She had an absolute love for children.”

School officials at Marymount University are currently planning an on-campus memorial for Harris and are looking for funding that will put the plan into motion.