Rankin1223web

The CHALKBOARD
Pisgah
Remembering Keigan: Forever a Baby Dragon
In loving memory of Keigan Norwood:
June 28, 2016 - May 30, 2023.
Pisgah has earned a reputation for its tight-knit community centered on
the Pisgah schools. Families rally around the schools and come in groves
attending school functions and sporting events in support of the youth of
our community. The time our community spends together, supporting our
students and schools has knit us together as one family. And when a need
arises amongst us, we can count on that family to come together and help
fulfill that need.
Likewise, when tragedy occurs, our Pisgah family pulls together and
becomes a united front with an abundance of love and support.
This past summer, the heartbreaking loss of one of our Baby Dragons
was no exception. Keigan Norwood was a bright light, a shining example
of Dragon pride and spirit, who loved everyone and showed kindness to
everyone he met. Keigan never met a stranger, and everybody knew little
Keigan. After the accident, our Pisgah family desperately wanted to show
their love, join together in sorrow, and find ways to honor and remember
Keigan.
Hundreds of people came to the school playground one evening and
held a prayer vigil. The Pisgah High School baseball team wore helmet
decals of a K and a cross designed for Keigan by Johnathan Rhinehart,
father of one of Keigan’s best buddies and classmates, as they played in the
state championship game at Trustmark Park. The symbol from that decal and
the phrase, “Pisgah Strong” was soon printed on buttons, shirts, posters,
bumper stickers etc.
Some of our elementary teachers decided to make a rock garden for
the front of our school and named it, “Keigan’s Kindness Rock Garden.”
The entire community was invited to come to the school to paint rocks for
the garden. Keigan’s family, including his mom and brother, grandparents,
aunts, uncles and cousins all came and painted rocks for his garden.
David Boykin with A-Plus Signs and Creative, Inc. designed a beautiful
sign for the rock garden, written in Keigan’s own handwriting that is proudly
displayed at the front of our school where Keigan’s rock garden is located.
For what would have been Keigan’s 7th birthday, the community came
together once more for a balloon release at his gravesite. Hundreds of
people came to show their love for him.
Our schools have continued to find ways to remember Keigan throughout
this school year. In the classroom, where Keigan would have been a 2nd
grader, sits a portrait of Keigan. He wanted so badly to be in Ms. Harris’
class this year, so we were able to honor his wishes in that way. Pisgah High
School also presented Keigan’s mother and family with a football with the K
and cross symbol painted on it at the first home football game of the season
as a keepsake and reminder of Keigan’s love for sports. They also asked his
mother to be the grand marshal in this year’s homecoming parade. She rode
in style in front of a trackless party train, with Keigan’s classmates and
friends riding in the carts.
We couldn’t be more thankful for the love and support our schools and
community have shown to Keigan’s family, as well as to our school family.
Keigan changed many lives for the better and continues to make a positive
impact on all who knew him. The love he had for Pisgah, and the love Pisgah
shared for him, has reinforced to us all what it means to be Pisgah Strong.
88 • DECEMBER 2023