Memorializing Columbine

Title - Memorializing Columbine 

Author - Rebecka Bingham, Melissa Allen Heath, Rachel Crook Lyon, Marleen Williams, Jenni Whicker 

Journal - Illness, Crisis & Loss 

Published - August 2009

Synopsis - On April 20, 1999, two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, armed with guns, knives, and bombs terrorized Columbine High School, killing 13 individuals, wounding 24, and emotionally traumatizing thousands. The perpetrators then completed suicide. Moving beyond the tragic events of that day, this study focused on memorializing victims’ lives. In particular, the planning of Columbine Memorial was considered from three committee leaders’ perspectives. Supplementing their input, additional information was gathered from the memorial’s official website and news articles describing related activities. This information is summarized, offering suggestions for planning permanent memorials and facilitating grief.