One has been planted for each student the school has lost in its 10-year history. Four more trees wait to be planted when the ground thaws in the spring. Some of the deaths were the result of accidents, but half were suicides. Burchell is silent as he thinks about the students who have slipped away. He has a theory that you have to either hug kids or harass them.
Silence is always approval.
My body can't take much more of this. Burchell plans to retire August 15, but he is confident that the school will continue to succeed. I'm afraid for me personally leaving. I'm not afraid for the school. I don't know a person who has a better job in the state of Alaska.