Nancy Allison Yoder

This Page Is Dedicated To My Dear Friend And Classmate, Allison Yoder

On one fateful day, tragedy struck and the sounds of weeping and crying echoed through Goshen High School. The day started normal for me, just like any other day. I even remember turning to the guy behind me after leaving first hour and sayting that nothing could spoil my day. I would end up eating these words. At the end of third period the vice-principal came over the PA and the tone of his voice told everyone that something was definately wrong.

"The van that was carrying some of our student council members from here to Elkhart Memorial High School," he said, "has been in an accident. There is one fatality. Freshman honor student Allison Yoder was killed."

You could almost hear the entire school gasp at the same time. Around me, people, including myself, were stunned. Most people couldn't believe that what had just been said was true. A few started crying. The passing period began and the halls that are normally so loud with lockers slamming and people yelling and talkin and laughing that you can't hear a train drive down the middle were so silent you could hear a pin drop on the carpet. Nobody knew what to say. A few people huddled in groups on the floor crying or talking about it. All around was sorrow.

I remember walking to lunch with my friends like usual. One student that I didn't know went straight back to an empty booth, put his head down, and just wept. I bought a small pizza, sat down, took one bite, and found out I didn't really have any appetite. Walking through the halls during lunch hour was very depressing. I hadn't cried at all up to this point. It wasn't until the class right after lunch that the first tears fell.

"Are you okay?" one of my friends sitting next to me asked. It was then that I realized I was just staring off into space. "Did you know her?" I nodded and put my head in my hands and cried. Ironically this friend that tried to console me was killed two years later in a car accident also. School remained in session, but attendance was not taken and nothing was done in any of the classes. I had myself back under control somewhat by the time class ended. So I went to my next class. I talked to some of my friends that knew her also.

"It's like this isn't happening," one of my friends said. "It's like she is just on this field trip and she will back on Monday and everything will be okay."

The news that night was all about the accident. A car had run a red light and struck the van Allison was riding in broadside. Allison was thrown from the van, which then rolled over three times and landed upside down on top of her. She was killed instantly.

It wasn't until the following Monday (Allison was killed on Friday) that the true impact of her loss was found out. Her funeral was held on this day at St. John Catholic Church in Goshen. The entire church was full. The balcony and choir loft were packed. The cry room was full and people were lined all along the back and the sides of the church.

Allison's light still shines today. She would not have wanted all the greiving that took place but that's just human response. Allison was an excellent singer. She loved acting and politics. She had been our class secretary since 7th grade and nobody was willing to run against her. But her main goal in life was to try somehow to make the world a better place for everyone. She would go out of her way for a friend in need, or a stranger in need for that matter. She has definately been missed by her family and her friends and the light she left should be a guiding light for us all.

Here is a poem I wrote for Allison after she died:

ONCE

Once the skies were blue
And all the trees were green
Once when I was week
I had somewhere to lean

Once the bitter wind
Never pierced my soul
Once my life was empty
You came and filled the hole

Once beneath the stars
I seemed a little speck
Once when you were gone
My life became a wreck

Once you lit my world
And taught me how to see
Once has come and gone
And all that's left is me

Copyright © 1993 Junior Press, Inc.

This is the song that was sung at her funeral. It is "Friends" by Michael W. Smith.

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Can't believe the hopes he's granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not to long
to live as friends

With the faith and love God's given
Spring from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you'll live in
Is the strength that now you show
And we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not to long
to live as friends

Read some newspaper articles about the accident.

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Copyright © 1998-2004 Junior Press, Inc.
Page created and maintained by Brandon Hagan.
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