Over the last week Mr. Simpson had had to deal with the tragedy. He had focused all his attention on his students, not even taking time to reflect on what he felt about the situation. When he started teaching all those years ago, he never imagined that he would ever lose a student. However, last week he had lost the second one, the first had been JT Yorke almost 6 years ago. Simpson thought about who it had been. With an hour or so before his next meeting, Simpson pulls up a word document on his computer.

Dear Campbell,

How could you think that no one at this school cared enough about you to miss you when you're gone? I see the negative repercussions everywhere I look. It seems that not a single student went unaffected by your actions. I have never known someone to kill themselves before. The fact that you were my student and I missed the warning signs makes it that much worse.

I knew that when you came here you were leaving your entire family behind in order to play hockey. I should have taken you under my wing and made sure that you succeeded and remained happy here at Degrassi. As your principal it was my duty to keep you safe. I failed you in so many ways. I wasn't there for you the way I should have.

When you came into my office the day before you death, due to picking a fight with another student, I should have asked you what was going on. I just assumed that you had spun out of control because you were just another problem student. Instead of just shrugging off my actions as following policy I should have taken you aside. If I had would you still be alive today? Or would it have been too little too late?

I see your friends around the school and I wonder if you can see them too. Are you looking down on them from whereever you are now? Do you realize just how much pain you have caused? Mike Dallas is no longer playing hockey. He can't even get up enough strength to pay attention in class. Teachers have voiced to me their concerns for him. They seem to think that he is going to crack and end up just another statistic, like you. I pray every day that I will have the strength to see all the students through their pain.

You may not know him, but a few years ago our school lost another student suddenly. His name was JT Yorke, you may have seen the memorial to him at our school. His death was just as sudden and as unexpected as yours , but unlike you he had no control over it. The results of both have been the same. JT's best friend and ex-girlfriend acted as though nothing had happened, Maya is doing the same. I hear many students comment that Maya is being so rude and disrespectful to your memory because she is not crying. She is angry. It's as simple as that. She can't figure out why you would do something so terrible to yourself. Maya's sister, Katie, tells me that Maya doesn't understand why you didn't try to talk to her about your pain.

I am thinking the same thing. Why didn't you come to me, your principal to talk about how you felt? I would have listened. I would have tried to help. I never want any of my students to feel as though there is no other way out except death. Death never answers any questions or problems it just leaves more. I will try my best to look after those you left behind. I feel like I owe it to you, the student I let fall through the cracks. There is nothing I want more than to ensure no more students get to the point where taking their life is the only solution they can find.

As bad as this sounds Campbell, I am thankful that your tragedy happened because now we know what to look out for. We all miss you and we always will. Campbell you touched so many more lives than you could ever know. You touched my life and I barely knew you; not as well as I would have liked.

The hardest thing for me was telling your mom that we failed you. That you had died because no one had noticed enough to try and help you. I have never felt more powerless in all my life. I will never forget you for as long as I live.

Your principal,

Mr. Simpson

Simpson closes done his word document. He feels emotionally drained. Campbell Saunders, the shy quiet hockey player had caused a bigger impact than he ever could have guessed. So many students now walked the school in a sort of daze. No one knew how best to handle the situation. After having written his letter, Simpson realizes that he is one of the many who doesn't know what to do.