Students stay 'Indian Lake strong' after deadly tornado
LOGAN COUNTY, Ohio (WCMH) — Indian Lake High School held its Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally on Thursday with a theme that shows the community's resilience following a deadly tornado in March.
As part of the theme Thursday, students dressed up as superheroes. Cambria Tuttle, student council president, wore a cape. In the middle of the back was "IL Strong" for Indian Lake Strong.
“We’re always taught to be resilient and persevere and after the tornado in March, it just like devastated our community, so we all had to persevere through that and work together," she said.
The tornado that hit the area in March was tough, but students and the community have shown they are tougher. The theme of this year's homecoming is "Laker Strong." Tuttle said it was decided on by students.
Watch: Indian Lake students show strength with homecoming theme
“The parade route goes right through where it devastated and you can still see some of that devastation today, so it just shows how we’re still strong and we’re coming back together and working together to get back to where we were," Tuttle said.
Many district families have been affected by the tornado. Immediately after the storm, the high school became a center of resources.
Indian Lake Schools Superintendent Rob Underwood said the homecoming celebrations are a symbol of the area coming back bigger and stronger.
“When our student council came up with Laker Strong, I think its very fitting for our community and our student body who really does find a way to adapt and adjust and we definitely pull together through these types of things," he said.
Homecoming is always a big deal. Tuttle said this year's is a bit more special.
“It’s like even more exciting just because we have worked our way back and we’re all still together as a community, so we’re all just like showing our spirit and what it does mean to be a community," she said.
Caylie Short, a junior at Indian Lake High School, is another example of Laker Strong. The tornado threw her from her home and she broke both her ankles. She is back on her feet. She said she was going to be at both the parade and this weekend's dance.
"It's kind of like a special moment because I really thought I wasn't going to be out of my wheelchair for like homecoming and stuff and I was like sad and stuff but then like I even got our of my wheelchair before my birthday and I was excited," she said. "I’m happy this year."