A middle school twice struck by tragedy last month will hold a ceremony to remember a beloved teacher and promising student killed in separate crashes.
A Chevrolet pickup truck struck Allison McGinnis, known by friends and family as "Allie," as she ran along U.S. Route 206 near Garden Street in Southampton around 2 p.m. Aug. 27.
McGinnis, who was 29, was entering her second year teaching English and language arts to seventh an eight graders at Helen Fort/Newcomb Middle School, said Pemberton Township Schools.
"Allison swept into Helen Fort like a ray of sunshine," said colleague Debra Kerner. "No one was left untouched by the warmth of her smile. In the year that Allison was here she positively affected the lives of every student and staff member.”
McGinnis' death came just one week after student Janiya Castleberry -- someone McGinnis taught -- died following an Aug. 2 car crash also in Southampton. Janiya was just 13.
A memorial will be held at an athletic field across from the school on Thursday night at 7 -- one day after McGinnis' funeral. The family of both Janiya and McGinnis will join parents, students coworkers and neighbors at the vigil, said the district.
McGinnis, who received a teaching masters from Rowan University previously worked at Authentic Education in Hopewell and at Lindenwold Middle School. On her district teaching page she spoke about the impact she believed teachers can have on young lives. "I firmly believe that teachers are able to make powerful, positive changes to their teaching that allows all students the ability to access learning, understanding, and achievement."
"Our hearts go out to the family, friends, students and fellow colleagues of Allie McGinnis," said Superintendent Tony Trongo. "Our close-knit community will get through this by supporting one another. On behalf of the board of education, our entire school district, myself and my family, I would like to express our sincere condolences to all those affected by this loss."
