Comments about ‘Mourning Heather: Vigils honor band instructor killed in crash’

My heart goes out to all those involved. I have been in school bus accidents. I know some of the feelings they are having. So sorry for the family of the leader who was killed.

Sounds like a true hero to me.

I'm so sorry. But, I hope her good memories help you through Tuesdays comp, and the rest of the year. She sounds like she was such as amazing woman she would want it that way! My prayers go out to you all!

We lost a great colleague and friend this weekend with Heather's passing. SHe was a great influence on her students and fellow teachers. She will be greatly missed.
Please pray for her students that they may find solace from this tragedy. It is going to be a rough day for them to show up to class and Heather won't be there.

I am so sorry for your loss. I will pray for the students and loved ones of Christenson today.
The band community is a strong one across the Nation and as this news reaches its corners, please know that our prayers are with you.

May God bless you at this time. Isaiah 40:31

I work for South Summit School District as the Administrative Secretary. We, as a district, feel your loss and hope you find peace from that loss. We also know what it means to loose a great teacher and student advocate. Both family and school have lost a great team member. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Our hearts and pray go out to Heather's family and to the band and schools at this time. Honor her with your music

Our hearts and prayers go out to Heather's family and to the band and school at this time. Honor her with your music

My son was on one of the Davis High School buses coming home and I think, like myself, all parents were jolted when we heard "a bus carrying a Utah High School Band" crashed. It could so easily have been us. It is a miracle that no one else was killed or severely injured. What a hero Heather Christenson is! My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and all the kids who's lives were touched by her wonderful life.
We look forward to some stiff competition from American Fork on Tuesday!

Heather was such a sweat and warm person! I remember being a "rookie" with her in the U of U marching band (1994) and seeing her energy, enthusiasm and talent! She will be missed by all her knew her! These things don't happen by chance. I believe she saved that whole bus of people and that she has now passed her test in this life and has entered into the rest of her Lord. May we all find that peace that she has now found.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all who were involved in this, and others mourning such a loss. Each time I hear of a bus accident though, I become more upset that students are allowed to ride around on buses with no seat belts. Law requires them to wear a seat belt in all other vehicles, yet not on a school bus? Obviously there is a cost involved, but I firmly believe that school buses should have seat belts. No, it may not have saved the life in this particular case, but would certainly have spared some injury... and would save lives of many children who ride on school buses every day.

Heather graduated the year before I entered high school. She came back while I was in marching band to be a staff member. She was so funny and a great teacher/leader. She will be missed. Bye Heather, until we meet again.

My heart goes out to you. I have children in a Marching Band in Indiana and last year they lost a student member of the team. It wast tragic and heart wrenching. I can understand your feelings and shed a tear for you today as I read the article. March on for Heather and make her proud.

Many thanks to all who have prayed, helped and loved these children and their directors at this time.

I am a "Band Dad" with this group with a child who was on another bus. I was at the scene and at the hospital during the ordeal and I was very impressed with all of the care and concern that was prevalent during the crises.

Being involved brings on different views and the views from where I was at are poignant and will last forever. I am thankful to hear all of the kind words from around the US and the world for that matter.

We are excited for Tuesday night and know that it was the student's decision, not the director's. We, the Band Dads and the other boosters are anxious to support these great kids in their quest for healing. We are also anxious to hug and hear from our friends from Davis, Mountain Crest, Skyview and the rest of the High Schools. It isn't necessarily about the competitions, but rather the raising of children and this includes all of us.

Again, that you for all of your support...

While I agree with you about seat belts on buses, I would just like to point out that this bus was a Charter bus not a public school bus. So I would say that all buses should have seat belts not just focusing on public school buses.
In this economy though, who is going to pay for all public school buses to be retrofitted with seat belts?

This was not a school bus nor would a seat belt have helped when a driver passed out and someone rushed forward to try to save the kids.

I was one of Heather's students last year, and when I found out I was not a bit surprised to hear what she had done. She was always that giving and loving to band members and people in general. I believe what they said last night, that the bus was protected by angels and now Heather will be a personal angel to all band members.

That was a Dr. Pepper performance Heather. Rest in Peace.

I was with Heather, Jeff Allgood and others in the 1994 Marching Utes rookie class. She was a class act and a dear friend to me. She was everyone's friend, though. She was one of the most kindhearted and giving people I ever met.

Don't forget the bus driver and his/her family. They are going through a very rough time, too. As for seat belts on buses, as a school bus driver, I am very much against them. When unloading on a busy highway/street, the little kids can't always get them unbuckled, meanwhile holding up lots of traffic. The driver cannot get out of the seat to help the student. Also, in an accident, in the chaos and panic, kids will be more apt to not be able to unbuckle the seat belt, greatly increasing the time it takes to evacuate the bus. (not to mention, the adjustable straps become whips the kids use on each other)

As a band parent , I would like to send prayers and thoughts to all touched by this tragic accident. Having had the pleasure of seeing American Fork perform here in Vegas , I can say first hand they are a true class act.
I hope they can heal physically , emotionally and spiritually. Take your time on your road to recovery American Fork , the field will be yours once again for the taking. Signed "FHS Pit Crew"