Children’s Grief Awareness Day 2025 – Activities Move Indoors

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November 20th saw Avonworth’s Children’s Grief Awareness event move inside for the first time. Although there has typically been an outdoor walk and some activities at the track, the activities moved inside this year. Nate Kline, a senior and co-chair of Children’s Grief Awareness at Avonworth, explained that “In the previous years it has been very cold, so we wanted a more comfortable environment.” Stations were set up in the cafeteria, with these stations including a game table, a wall of support, coloring pages, face painting, and luminary decorating. There was also a concession stand with cookies and cupcakes, as well as a snack bag table. The luminaries that people decorated were placed in the gym, and people were encouraged to walk laps in there. While there was a good turnout, people primarily seemed to stay in the cafeteria instead of walking.

A luminary decorated by an attendee of the event, in honor of their childhood dog.

The majority of attendees were adults and younger children, some of whom were Avonworth teachers and their kids. However, many high schoolers and middle schoolers volunteered at the event on behalf of Key Club and Builders Club. Many of the younger children seemed to primarily be charmed by the snacks and fun activities, but the adults were far more contemplative, spending time to reflect on those whom they had lost.

Attendees gathered in the cafeteria, generally hovering around the board game table and the concession stand

“People lingered for longer than past years,” said senior Pedro Moreira, the president of Key Club. Indeed, the attendees tended to gravitate towards the provided board games instead of the exit, leading to a busier, more united atmosphere in the cafeteria. Instead of walking, most people chose to simply be together, grieving independently but still being part of a larger community.

Although the perimeter of the gym was lined with luminaries, very few people actually walked the perimeter throughout the night.

Whether or not this event will continue to be inside in future years will likely be decided by Mrs. Weyant, as well as Nate and Owen Kline, who serve as the co-chairs of Children’s Grief Awareness at Avonworth this year. With Nate graduating this year, however, Owen will need someone new to act as his co-chair next year. The position is open to any Key Club underclassmen who are interested.