The murder of 19 year -old Jessie Blodgett by her ex-boyfriend stunned us all.
The musician and actress was found dead in her home July of 2013. But some teens at Hartford Union High School are working with Jessie's father, Buck Blodgett, to ensure that the young star did not die in vain.
"I feel like were working together on this," said Blodgett. "I sometimes feel like I sound a little crazy talking about this, but I feel her presence from time to time, and I feel like I know she's there," he said.
The school is committed to the Love > hate Project. Money raised will combat domestic violence and spread love. TODAY's TMJ4 stopped by while the students were getting posters, signs, and gift baskets ready for a 5K Run Walk on May 7.
The students take pride in spreading the word.
"It's really helped me work on my social skills get out in the public to be able to do something to help my community," says student Andrew Lockman.
Theresa Maier, a Special Education teacher notes, "They are learning social skills, marketing, writing, self esteem, respect for self, respect for others problem solving. "
Special Ed Teacher Abby Bumgarner agrees.
"I think they see they can work together with lots of different kids and staff and actually going to make a difference in the community," says Bumgarner.
Dan Dobner, Principal of Hartford Union High School is proud of his students.
"We have great students, great teenagers and people just have to see what they're doing," says Dobner. "This is just one example of the things many teenagers all around this state are doing."
Perhaps most importantly, students are taking in a powerful message about the pain caused by violence.
"It's bad, because your not just hurting the person that you're hurting, but your also hurting the family and the people surrounding you, and your own family doing it," says Lockman. "Cause if you end up going to jail for it, that's going to hurt your family too."
Buck Blodgett knows that so many people working for Love
The 5K Run Walk is Saturday May 7 at 8 a.m. at Hartford High School. For more information, click here.
