The death of author Harper Lee sent shockwaves of sadness through the halls of Chapin High. The Pulitzer Prize winning writer is known for the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. The book is almost required reading for middle school and high school students all over America. Friday, the students and faculty reflected upon the author’s death and the impact that the novel has had on their academic lives.

“I feel like we lost one of the great minds of southern literature,” said Mrs. Carter, an English teacher.

“Harper Lee opened my eyes about the history of the South, and developed an appreciation for my own family, and be able to step into someone else’s shoes and see the world from, their point of view,” said Kelsey Pratt, sophomore.

“To Kill a Mockingbird has a deep message that still relates to modern day society and displays an important message to love,” said Kiley Hengevld, a sophomore.

“I read it (To Kill a Mockingbird) before going into high school so it helped me keep an open mind about where everybody is coming from. There is always two stories to tell, so you can’t just take one person’s as the truth, you have to look for the truth,” said Jamie Milliff, a senior.

“It’s a very sad occasion. I would’ve liked for her literary career to have more width. To Kill a Mockingbird made such an impact. I never remember reading it in school, but I’ve been teaching it for several years. It’s one of the books that students can really relate to and enjoy. If she could write that, there could’ve been so much more that impacted her life that we’ll never see. She was old, and I think that she lead the life she wanted to lead, and for that I am grateful, and I’m thankful that we do have To Kill A Mockingbird.” said, Dawn Weathersbee, an English teacher at

“Harper Lee is an icon that has shaped the lives of many of our students here at Chapin High School. She is one of the last century’s beloved authors and it is a sad day for all Americans,” said Marcus Peacock, Guidance Counselor.

“It taught me not to go with the crowd instead of accepting a false principle to stand up for what’s right,” said Noah Mervak, a junior.

“I  read To Kill A Mockingbird my freshmen year and it was one of the first books I read in my high school career. Although it was difficult to understand at first, I began to enjoy the book the more and more I read it. Overall I thought it was a very enjoyable book and I would recommend it to a friend,” said Tanner Martin, a Junior.

“To Kill a Mockingbird was one of the first and best books that I have read in high school. I first started to enjoy the book when I realized that things that happened in the book actually happened in history. It left me in shock and I would definitely recommend this book to a friend,” said Matt Johnson, a sophomore.

“To Kill A Mockingbird taught me to not believe everybody,” said Eva Slagle, a sophomore.

“To Kill A Mockingbird has always been one of my favorite books, and I’m sad to hear she died. Her book represented the struggle of those times effectively,” said Tai Ojederan, a senior.

“I mean one of the important things in the book is Scout understanding that people have good and bad and to appreciate the good things and understand the bad,” said Ellie Hoos, a sophomore.

“To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic and a standard in most high school library collections. It is a timeless book that will be studied and enjoyed for generations to come,”  said Mrs. Adams, CHS librarian.

“I think that To Kill a Mockingbird provided me with a great entrance into the discussion of race in America. It allowed me to cut my teeth on some ideas about equality (or lack thereof) and helped me understand, though not necessarily agree with, the motives of people who grew up in the Jim Crowe south. This novel gives us something to listen to and think about. It helps to build a new kind of understanding. That’s huge,” said Mr. Funk, English teacher.

“Harper Lee was one of the rare authors who would portray a much deeper meaning than words written on a page. In, To Kill a Mockingbird, she taught everyone that the value of a person does not depend on the color of their skin or anything like that, but who they are as a person. She was a great American author who will be missed by many.” –Billie Williams, Student Government Adviser.