Hope Ceremony For Missing Teacher Planned In Columbia

COLUMBIA, MD - Some Wilde Lake High School students are planning a ceremony Wednesday night as a way to come together in the aftermath of their teacher going missing.

Laura Elizabeth Wallen, 31, of Olney, was reported as a missing person on the first day of school, which was Tuesday, Sept. 5. Relatives said they had not heard from her since Labor Day.

Wallen's family and police held a press conference Monday to ask for help in the search. The family is offering a $25,000 reward for information.

Students are planning a "hope ceremony" at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center on Wednesday, Sept. 13, according to Wilde Lake High School Principal Rick Wilson.

"If your student is planning on attending, we strongly encourage you to consider attending with them," Wilson said in a letter to families Tuesday. (See the full letter and the end of the article.)

According to Wilson, there will be a Howard County police officer at the ceremony.

"We know this type of event can create very strong emotions," said Wilson, "and we want to ensure that any student who attends can get home safely."

Wallen had decorated her classroom for the Sept. 5 start at Wilde Lake High School, and her family said the popular teacher was joyful about the coming school year. When she did not show up for the first day of school and had not called in a substitute, the family reported her missing.

In the days before school started, Wallen had been raising money for the senior class, according to her father, Mike Wallen.

Her vehicle, a black Ford Escape, was found on Thursday, Sept. 7, in the 10600 block of Gramercy Place in Columbia, less than three-quarters of a mile from the high school. She was nowhere to be found.

Wallen is four months pregnant, and her boyfriend said her disappearance was a "complete shock."

Some of Wallen's students posted fliers around Columbia Saturday in hopes of helping with the search, according to WJLA.

The "hope ceremony" in Wallen's honor is slated for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Road.

Have info? Call the Montgomery County Police Department Missing Persons Unit at 240-773-5070.

Letter from Wilde Lake High School Principal Rick Wilson:

September 12, 2017

Dear Wilde Lake Students, Staff, and Families:
I am writing to thank you for your continued prayers and messages in support of Ms. Wallen, her family, and our students and staff. These acts of kindness have brought us together as we start a new school year. As we walk around the building visiting classes, we see the love and support that exemplifies Wilde Lake. The leadership our students and staff demonstrate daily inspire our entire community and has been greatly appreciated by Ms. Wallen’s family. We continue to be available to assist students in the coming days, and encourage parents to contact their student’s counselor with any concerns.

We are aware that some of our students are planning a Hope Ceremony at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center on 9/13/17 at 7:30 PM. If your student is planning on attending, we strongly encourage you to consider attending with them. We know this type of event can create very strong emotions and we want to ensure that any student who attends can get home safely. The Howard County Police will have an officer in attendance at the Hope Ceremony so they can help ensure the safety and security of anyone who chooses to attend.
Thank you again for everyone’s support during this time. Please continue to keep Ms. Wallen, her family, and our students and families in your thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,

Rick Wilson

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