Lynam legacy lives on at Hawk’s Nest

On Tuesday, October 9 sophomore, Kyle Patrick Lynam passed away from injuries he sustained after being struck by a car while he was running to catch the bus.  Lynam has been described by many as a “funny, smart, and extremely goofy” young man who would brighten the day of his family, friends, and teachers.

In the three years Lynam spent as a student at NHHS, he developed strong relationships with students and teachers, including drama teacher Mrs. Nancy Green. “In the short time I got to spend with him, he was outgoing, fun, full of energy, very very kind!” Green also made remarks on how well mannered Kyle was and how he would hold the door open for her all the time. She added that those were the kind of manners she doesn’t see often , but “it would always make my day.”

Another teacher that Lynam made a big impact on was Mrs. Meghan Fries, who shared that Kyle would come to her class after lunch and share Doritos with her, knowing it was the highlight of her day. “Kyle is someone who never wants anyone to be upset; he would always try to make you smile.”

Mrs. Larissa Arist, the French teacher, was Kyle’s homeroom teacher for the past two years. “He was one of those kids that really wanted to be funny and was always pulling pranks.”  Arist remarked on Kyle’s behavior this year, “I think he really grew over the summer and matured and it all really impressed me.”

Kyle was deeply involved with this Boy Scout troop and was planning on soon graduating to an Eagle Scout. Sophomore Ryan Demos was in the same troop as Kyle and shared many scouting experiences; together they would go camping and participate in fundraisers with Demos and the other members of the troop. Demos expressed how he would always have a fun time hanging out with Kyle and that he would remember all the good times they shared.

Other friends agree that they have mainly happy memories of Kyle, including senior Marques Bishop.  “Kyle was just a really nice person, fun to be around. Whenever you were around him you were always having fun so, it’s just weird in school without him now,” said the senior.

On October 13, the funeral service for Lynam was held in Jarrettsville,  where  many of his classmates attended the service to pay their respects to the Lynam family.

Vice-principal Mr. Pawlicki spoke at Kyle’s service. He shared a memory about Kyle that took place  the Thursday after the 2018 Homecoming dance when Kyle gave a compliment to Pawlicki about how he looked nice and how Kyle wore a similar outfit to Homecoming. Kyle turned around and said, “but my tie was better.”   Pawlicki expressed that “he was the kind of person who would say something nice and compliment you but then tease you about something but you knew he was just kidding[…] he never would do anything to hurt your feelings.” Pawlicki also saw that this year Kyle was much more serious about his schoolwork; before “he came to school to be with his friends and didn’t really focus on school itself,”  Pawlicki added that this year,  Kyle realized that school was really important to his future.

Since his passing, there have been several events to honor Kyle’s memory including a fundraiser for the Lynam family held at Jarrettsville Creamery and another at the sunflower fields in Jarrettsville.  Additionally, there was a balloon release at NHHS.

In celebration of his life, during Hawk Soar on Wednesday, October 17 friends and classmates of Kyle came together to put together a memory book for the Lynam family. The book was full of moments people shared with Kyle, people also included their prayers and condolences they wanted to send to the family.

Sophomore Isabella Moskos and junior Kylie Little, along with some more of Lyman’s close friends, put this event together to send love and support to Kyle’s loved ones. “We wanted to do this so people could say goodbye to Kyle and to write a note on a sheet of paper and then we will send it all to his family,” stated Moskos. She added that they wanted people that really loved Kyle and were his close friends to all get together and form bonds in memory of him.

Another classmate that was close to Kyle was junior, Hannah Gibson. The first time Kyle and Gibson ever talked, Gibson was at her locker crying and Kyle approached her and walked around with her until she calmed down.  After this, their friendship only grew from there. And Gibson shared, “ Every time I start crying about him I remember he would always tell me I am too pretty to be crying and so I know that he wouldn’t want me to be crying over him.”

Many of his friends agree that Kyle was a great kid with a positive attitude.  “He was never sad and I don’t even think I have a sad memory with him;  he was always there ready to make you smile,” shared Little. Many teachers concur and note the kind of positive energy Kyle brought to class.  “What I like most about him is that he was always smiling and laughing, and even though I know that he didn’t love English class at all, it was kind of a joke between us and he still made the best of it,” said Mrs. Christine Allred.