'I Love You and I Believe in You': Teacher's Letter Goes Viral in Wake of Tragedy

By Kara Seymour

I love you, and I believe in you.

That is the opening line of an inspirational letter penned by a Council Rock School District (Bucks County) teacher that has gone viral throughout the community as it mourns the loss of three students just days before the start of a new school year.

Richboro Middle School teacher Tom Cunningham posted the letter to the school’s webpage in an effort to support his students as they grieve and process the tragic deaths of Cullen Keffer, Shamus Digney and Ryan Lesher. All three were incoming sophomores at Council Rock South and were killed last Saturday in a one-car accident in Paupack Township, Wayne County.

“Council Rock will grow through this. If we want to honor the boys, we have to. Sit down with a friend and LISTEN to them. Don’t interrupt, just listen. When they are done, look at them and say, ’I love you, and I believe in you.’ Empower your classmates with the understanding that they will never be alone.”

Cunningham’s message reverberated through the community as some students and teachers were in the midst of attending funerals three days in a row.

“Repeat these words out loud. I don’t care if you are sitting in your room by yourself, say these words out loud.

I CAN. I WILL. I MUST.

I CAN. I WILL. I MUST.

I can never forget these boys. I will never forget these boys. I must not forget these boys.

I can be empowered. I will be empowered. I must be empowered.”

The letter concludes with a testament to how the community has come together to support each other and the families of the deceased during their darkest hour.

“In 2014, Council Rock will not be remembered as the district that was devastated by 3 students passing away. 2014 will be the year that Council Rock turned a negative into a positive and created a revolution based around the idea of empowerment. That will be the boys legacy. That will be your legacy.

I love you, and I believe in you.”

Click here to read the full letter.