Emporia High School counselors will be available this afternoon and Thursday for students who need someone to talk to about an accident that injured three EHS students late Friday afternoon.
An announcement from EHS Principal Scott Sheldon and the school district this morning said that counselors will be available from 1 to 3 p.m. today and Thursday at the school.
One of the crash victims, Mariah Serrano, remained in critical condition this morning at Stormont-Vail Health Care in Topeka.
A second student, Derek Christiani, who had been taken to Newman Regional Health then transferred to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, was released from the hospital on Monday.
Elizabeth Dieker, the third student injured, was released from Newman on Sunday.
Mariah was taken from the accident by LifeTeam helicopter to Wichita.
Mariah’s family has posted updates about her condition at www.caringbridge.org.
The latest journal entry on CaringBridge, posted shortly after 3 p.m. on Tuesday, reported that Mariah’s exploratory surgery on Monday afternoon had gone well. No internal bleeding was found and no major organs were injured. She had been moving her left leg and left arm on Tuesday, and her left eyelid opened halfway.
“We are at a bit of a standstill right now ... letting her rest,” the journal stated.
The writer of the journal asked that people not pass on rumors or post them online about Mariah’s condition and prognosis; the family requests that people interested in Mariah rely on posts on CaringBridge, made by family members at Stormont-Vail.
“We’ve had a very big roller coaster the past 96 hrs. ... with lots of changes in conditions,” the journal said. “... Please utilize this source for the most accurate information. I’ve been trying to be most up to date and as detailed as I possibly can. We have hope and will till the next step.
“PLEASE... if you don’t know facts... don’t give people false information, for our sake and all the friends and family out there praying.”
A video about Mariah has been made by one of her friends, Logan Ranger, and posted on www.YouTube.com under “Mariah Serrano Video.”
hawks422 (anonymous) says...
It truely is amazing the warmth & love the community has spread with it's thoughts & prayers for all involved in this tragic incident...everyone coming together is beautiful...please let's not spread any unknown facts about Mariah & her condition...as the family has requested....they have many other important things to worry about...the best thing to do is continue to pray & keep Mariah & the other children & their familes involved in this accident in our thoughts & assist them in anyway possible...the Emporia Community has always gone above & beyond for the youth especially when accidents like this happen!!!!!
June 3, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhcc66 (anonymous) says...
I agree with the writer. Take no account for what is happening except for what the family posts. This is NO TIME for rumors to start flying.
Our prayers go out to the Serrano family
June 3, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
Its a real great feeling to know that she is still fighting her way back.
June 3, 2009 at 5:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )