To honor the life of HBHS senior Tyler Macleod, who passed away earlier in the week, Douglas Young created a Facebook event asking people from all over the world to wear red on September 25th.
Also a senior of HBHS, Young was childhood friends with Macleod and wanted people to remember him. He randomly chose the date September 25th and the color red because it stood out from all the other colors. “We wanted all people that were aware of his passing to wear red and by them wearing red we knew they understood,” Young explained.
The Facebook event has reached over 4,500 participants who post support daily. T-shirts, drawings and ceramics have been made containing a picture of Macleod and countless red ribbons have been tied to house gates, school gates, campus trees, and street poles. Huntington Beach High School has been wearing red for the past week to continue their cause and more and more people are joining the Facebook event everyday.
Close friends and family chose not to comment on Macleod’s death, but many have offered their unconditional support. People have worn red in Sacramento, LMU, Cal State Fullerton, Gonzaga U, Sonoma, all the way to New York and word has even spread to marine officers.
Richie Lopez (’13) summarized why many FVHS students decided to wear red: “I wanted to show respect. I know what it’s like to lose someone close to me, and it isn’t pleasant. Years of suffering are coming for those who are dear to him. My goal is to show my support for those who need it.”
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Heyy I made the ceramics! This is so cool (: