What a pleasure.”įollowing the many written and spoken tributes, Thesing invited Allen’s core group of friends – those he would ‘ride or die’ for – to help light candles for the group vigil.Īs the twinkling candles lit up the night like stars sprinkled across a dark canvas, the song “Gentle on My Mind” by Glen Campbell was played – a song Allen’s mother Kristie Evans told Thesing the two had bonded over.
“Every time I saw Connor he had a smile on his face,” Dinsdale said of his student-athlete.
To end her thoughts, Nelson again referred to his smile, writing, “Smiles are contagious and can heal in many ways.”Īllen’s high school soccer coach Jon Dinsdale spoke during the vigil as well. “He considered so many places home,” Thesing read aloud from a compilation of memories, “and wherever he was, Connor made you feel at home with him.”Īllen’s favorite teacher, Stasi Nelson who teaches art at Gladbrook-Reinbeck, wrote that “Connor always had a smile for me” and harbored “a spirit about him that spread to his friends and family.” He was a ‘lover of bridges and sunsets’ – one of his favorite pastimes was seeking out little-visited, rural bridges where he would settle in to watch the setting sun as it splashed across the horizon. … I think it just does something to the human spirit when broken hearts meet like this and determine that – at least for this evening – our broken hearts are better together than they are alone.”įor just under an hour, Thesing with help from his wife Erica read tributes penned by Allen’s friends and family.Īllen was described by various people as both an ‘old soul’ and a ‘loyal friend’ with a ‘contagious smile’ that drew everyone in and made them feel at home. “Whatever you feel, whatever happens, that’s ok. “We are so glad you’ve chosen to honor and pay tribute to the life and the smile of Connor Allen this evening,” Thesing began. The vigil held in memory of Allen on the high school lawn last Friday evening was facilitated by Jeremy Thesing and livestreamed on the school district’s Facebook page.Īs part of the vigil, photo boards of Allen were positioned near the high school steps while a gallery of similar photos looped on a screen nearby.ĭozens and dozens of candles, tea lights, and twinkle lights were arranged on the steps behind where Thesing spoke to the gathered community which included many of Allen’s high school and neighborhood friends. This loss is sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire school, especially our students.”īonjour went on to describe the supports and services the district would be providing in the days ahead “for any student who may need or want help or any type of assistance surrounding this loss.”
On Monday afternoon, recent 2023 graduate Connor Allen suffered life ending injuries during a work related ATV accident. Late Monday evening, Gladbrook-Reinbeck Superintendent Caleb Bonjour announced Allen’s passing on both Facebook and the school’s website, writing: “It is with deep regret that I inform you about a recent loss to our school community.
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