Located in the heart of Chico High School campus are two dedicated trees. This tree contains a plaque at the base that reads:
Spontaneous memorials appear at high schools
Friends and classmates at two high schools created memorials for Allan Fleming and Collin Sweeney, who died over the weekend in a tragic accident.
The two seniors, Fleming from Pleasant Valley High School and Sweeney from Chico High School, were killed Saturday when Sweeney lost control of his Lexus and it crashed into a tree on West Sacramento Avenue, near Glenwood Drive.
Principal Jim Hanlon described the memorial for Collin Sweeney at Chico High School, where students placed photographs, flowers and letters on the wall outside Williams Theatre on campus.
Students gathered around the spontaneous memorial during lunch and other times during the day, he said.
They also asked if the flag could be lowered to half-staff, Hanlon said, which was immediately done.
Sweeney was a member of a journalism class that produces the student newspaper, The Red and Gold, and Hanlon said his classmates were talking about publishing a special edition or dedicating part of the next edition to him.
Counselors were on hand all day, he explained, and the district sent extra support staff over to help.
Most teachers opened discussions about Sweeney's death themselves, Hanlon continued, and a few chose to have counselors come into the classrooms, too.
Hanlon said Sweeney had a lot of friends, since he was involved in several programs.
"Collin was in the Academy of Communications and Technology as a freshman and sophomore," Hanlon said, "and he had a lot of friends in that program."
He also coached youth basketball teams in the Upward Bound program, with his friend Fleming.
Randy Gilzean, athletic director at Pleasant Valley, explained that Fleming and Sweeney coached two teams, one of first- and second-graders and a team of third- and fourth-graders.
In fact, the day of the accident was the first tryout day for basketball at Pleasant Valley and Fleming had permission to arrive late, because of his coaching schedule.
Gilzean said he understood the two students were on their way back to the Evangelical Free Church to coach the second game when the accident happened.
"He said he'd be late," Gilzean explained, "but he didn't show up."
When tryouts ended, he continued, several students had messages on their cell phones about the accident and they headed to the hospital together, not knowing yet that Fleming had died.
Gilzean said Fleming was very involved in a number of activities, such as basketball, coaching and his church, and had twice traveled to Mexico to help build houses.
A memorial for Fleming sprang up around the flagpole at Pleasant Valley -- where the flag was also lowered to half-staff.
Office manager Gloria Harris said the students had opportunities to visit counselors during the day and teachers allowed them to leave classes when they felt they needed to. She said there was a lot of hugging and crying.
"Students seemed to gain support from each other," she said.
They gathered around the flagpole first thing in the morning and returned throughout the day, adding things to the memorial, such as flowers, basketballs, cards and letters, and playing cards.
"He liked to play poker," Harris explained.
"When he did something, he put himself fully into it," Coach Gilzean said.
Collin Sweeney, beloved son of Brian and Karen Sweeney, of Chico went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Oct. 21, 2006. Collin was born on Jan. 27, 1989 at Enloe Hospital in Chico. He attended Chico Christian School, Champion Jr. High, and was a senior at Chico High School. Collin loved music, his family, traveling, and playing golf with his Dad. He enjoyed writing for the school newspaper, The Red and Gold.
Collin loved having barbecues, attending sporting events at Chico High, and playing ping-pong, poker, and basketball with his friends. His friends will miss his beautiful smile and dry sense of humor. Collin served on two mission trips to Mexico where he matured in his faith in serving the Lord.
Collin is survived by his parents; his brother, Joe and sister Gracelyn, all of Chico. He is also survived by his grandpa, Daniel Braz of Chico; his uncles: Michael, Robert, and Pat Sweeney of Chico; his aunt and uncle, Lisa and Jeff Padgett and cousins, Ally and Jackie Padgett of Chico; and his aunt and uncle, Jeanne and Robert Trujillo and cousins, Annelise and Aaron of Pasadena.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Collin Sweeney Memorial Fund at the North Valley Community Foundation, 3120 Cohasset Road Suite 8, Chico, CA 95973.
The contributions will benefit Chico High Foundation, Calvary Chapel Youth Ministries and Chico Christian Cub fund. Collin gave his Life to the Lord Jesus Christ at a young age and his family knows that they will see him again at the appointed time-and spend eternity with him-"I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Jer 29:11.
A celebration of life will be held at Neighborhood Church on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006, at noon. A reception will follow immediately at Neighborhood Church. Newton-Bracewell Chico Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View obituary and send condolences online at nbcfh.com.
Published in Chico Enterprise-Record from Oct. 21 to Oct. 27, 2006