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
Hometown RANKIN • 89