Emotional Day as Friends Remember TJ Sefcik

Montville students wore purple on Thursday in memory of a student who died a year ago. The high school prinicipal said in a letter to parents it would be an "emotional day" for students and staff, and encouraged parents to talk with their children after school.

T.J. Sefcik——was 16 when he was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 287. Sefcik's mom said he suffered from depression and committed suicide.

Sefcik's favorite color was purple and those who knew him said they were wearing purple for him, and encouraged others to do the same.

Ethan Glick, a high school junior in Sefcik's class, said it was an emotional day and that most of the junior class wore purple, himself included. He remembered Sefcik as really outgoing.

Many students wore purple T-shirts that said "Always Loved ... Never Forgotten," with a white heart, the initials "TJ," and "12.1.10."

Jeremy Book, a high school junior, said he made the shirts and sold about 190 of them. Money raised by selling the shirts helped pay for ceramic hearts that students painted throughout the day on Thursday as part of a program created through a partership with the school, Sefcik's mom and Hearts of Hope.

A note to parents from Principal Douglas Sanford said additional staff would be available to provide emotional support for students, but they also wanted to keep it as close to a typical day as possible.

He said the school partnered with Sefcik's mom, Wendy, and to create a program that students could choose to participate in. The program invites students to paint ceramic hearts and write messages of empathy to share with others who are dealing with grief.

"The grieving process is different for every person, and while we wish to support those in need, we want to create the opportunity for students to experience their daily routine," Sanford wrote. "Please support your child and the school by discussing the potential challenges of tomorrow either this evening or when he/she returns home from school."