A prom is supposed to be a time of joy, an important part of going through high school.  At Hamilton Heights High School Saturday night, that joy turned to sorrow and grief as two students headed to the prom died in a vehicle crash at 281st Street and Lacy Road.

Kalen Hart, a student at Heights, was in the front seat of a 4-door car when there was a collision with an SUV.  Also in the front seat was Cathedral High School student Lendon Byram.  Both died in the crash.

Two students in the back seat suffered what police say were non-life-threatening injuries.  The driver of the SUV refused treatment.  The Hamilton County Sheriff’s office is investigating.

The prom was cancelled and grief counselors will be available to students as classes resume today (Monday).

It is difficult to put into words how the entire community of Hamilton County feels after this tragic event.  Seeing news accounts of some of the memorials and comments from people close to both of these students breaks one’s heart.

For the friends and family members of Kelan Hart and Lendon Byram, know that this local community is with you and ready to do whatever we all can to support you in this moment of sorrow.

As someone that writes regularly, it is not possible to put feelings into words at a time like this.