‘This should have never happened’: Students in Jackson honor Jayden Spicer

JACKSON, Ky. (WYMT) - The first few days back to school were different this year in Breathitt County as the community mourns the loss of 10 year-old, Jayden Spicer.

Faith Noble, a second grade teacher at Jackson City School said the environment at school had been tense.

“We’ve had to talk to kids and tell them there was a child in the county that has passed away tragically.” Noble said.

She added that at JCS, they do what they can in times of need to uplift the community.

Two seniors at the school, Jaylee Tincher and Dyllen Strong, had the idea to wear his favorite colors to honor his memory.

The school posted the idea to Facebook on Tuesday and the community listened, as the halls were filled with blue and red students and faculty on Wednesday.

“We learned that his favorite colors were red and blue because he likes Sonic and Spider-Man. So, we thought in honor of him, we should wear his favorite colors to just kind of spread awareness of the situation,” Strong said.

Although Jayden did not attend Jackson City Schools, students and officials with the district said it was about more than what mascot you cheered for, it is about the community.

“It doesn’t matter what school you go to. We want to support every student in every school, every district. We want to build them up and help in any way that we can,” Noble said.

Wayne Sizemore, JCS superintendent said their goal is to build well-rounded students who are prepared to be good citizens, and the students’ actions in showing support for Jayden and his family demonstrated this.

“Anytime that you have a youth that’s missing, it’s heightened awareness, especially as a school administrator and especially as a parent. I’m a parent of three kids. So, anytime that you have any incident of any child missing, you become fully aware of how can we support, what can we do,” Sizemore told WYMT.

The students hoped to bring awareness to his story and help the community during the tragic loss.

“This is something that shouldn’t have happened. This is really a tragedy that we want to bring remembrance to,” Tincher and Strong said.

JCS said they are offering counseling to any students, faculty or staff who need assisting during this loss.

Faculty and staff at Jayden’s school, Highland-Turner Elementary school told WYMT they were advised not to make a comment since the investigation is on-going.