Sad About Sonya

I found out yesterday that a former student of mine at Gunn High School committed suicide. Sonya Raymakers was one of those incredibly unique people who appeared completely grounded, seeming to know what she believed and what she wanted. I have had a link to a webpage she created (to promote chocolate that didn't exploit child labor) on this blog's right-hand column. I admired her desire to change the world for the better.



Not being at Gunn or in Palo Alto, I'm only learning about what happened indirectly: this article described her well (6.5.09 -- here is another); students have been writing on Facebook; since I'm still on the staff email list I got the official letter from the Superintendent.

I know this is causing so much pain for Gunn students right now. There was another suicide about a month ago (a student I didn't know), and this came only 8 days before graduation. Sonya had been accepted to NYU to study Theatre, her love. One would hope the future would feel so bright at this moment! Having never dealt with depression, I can only imagine how dark it might make one's world.

I thought a lot about Sonya's decision as I read President Monson's Conference Address, "Be of Good Cheer", last night:

Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us. My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.

It is painful to know that Sonya felt the future so dark. I ache for her family and her friends, for her present teachers and even students who didn't know her but who have seen two classmates chose suicide. I hope this pain helps others who are hurting to open up and seek help.