By TARA HETTINGER
Tragedy struck Katie Lyon two years ago, when her boyfriend at Parkview Middle School committed suicide.
She vowed then that she wanted to do something to help others.
Now, at 15, she is the inspiration behind an event that will bring Bob Lenz, a motivational speaker, to eight schools in four days, possibly reaching 10,000 youth.
“I wanted to show [teens] that they have value and there is no problem big enough to end your life,” she said. “I picked Bob, because he is so easy to talk to, relate to and he’s a funny guy and he can give a serious message in a fun way.”
She’s hoping to save lives as well as keep others from having to go through what she endured.
Lyon, along with her church’s youth group and their leader, her mother, have worked for the past few months to raise money to pay for all the fees associated with getting the speaker as well as food for all the evening events.
Mitzi Lyon, youth director at Grace Lutheran Church in New Albany, said the budget for the event was $18,000. However, more and more schools got on board, making that grow. However, the parishioners, youth group and more have all worked together to raise $22,000, she said.
“The money just came,” she said. “If you’re willing to do the work, then God will provide the means.”
Lenz will have a faith-based talk in the evenings, where free pizza will be provided. However, he will also talk to many students during the school day, but religion will be kept out of those speeches, Mitzi said.
“This event isn’t about Grace Lutheran. It’s not about me. It’s about making a difference in these kids’ lives, letting them know they do have worth, that they do have value and they need to step up and take hold of that,” Mitzi said.
Mitzi said even though not every event will be faith-based, she said this is what a church should be doing, especially in light of recent suicides at local schools.
“We shouldn’t stay indoors and have service every Sunday. We should be reaching out to the community, especially to a community that’s hurting,” she said.
As for Katie’s healing process, she said working on this event and hopefully reaching out to others is helping her.
Lenz will be speaking at Borden, Floyd Central, Jeffersonville and New Albany high schools. He will also be at Parkview, Hazelwood, Highland Hills and Scribner middle schools.
Mitzi said she’s not exactly sure what kind of turnout to expect.
“We have 300 pizzas for three evening events. We pray that’s going to be enough,” she said.
SO YOU KNOW
• MONDAY: Bob Lenz will speak at Floyd Central High School and Highland Hills Middle School during the day. The evening event is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Highland Hills. Free pizza will be provided.
• TUESDAY: Lenz will speak at Borden High School during the day.
• WEDNESDAY: Lenz will speak at Jeffersonville High School and Parkview Middle School during the day. The evening event is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at JHS. Free pizza will be provided.
• THURSDAY: Lenz will speak at Scribner and Hazelwood middle schools during the day. The evening event will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at New Albany High School. Free pizza will be provided.
• All evening events listed are open to the public.
