It’s still nearly impossible to go anywhere in the Valley without seeing David Grunwald’s missing person flyers plastered to light poles and store windows. The 16-year-old’s body was discovered over the weekend.
On Monday, his friends at Mat-Su Career and Technical High School returned to class for the first time after learning of Grunwald’s death.
“This has a huge impact on students this age,” said school counselor Bonni Harter. “Often times, this is the first time they’ve had an encounter with death.”
Faculty said Grunwald was a well-liked, handsome junior in the school’s engineering program.
Harter encouraged students to write down memories or condolences for Grunwald’s family in a three-ring binder that will be given to his parents.
“Hopefully we are going to move on skillfully and take students along with us as they are ready,” Principal Mark Okeson said.
Many students at Mat-Su Career and Technical High School knew both Grunwald and his accused killer, Erick Almandinger, according to Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District superintendent Gene Stone.
Grunwald and Almandinger had previously attended Colony High School in Palmer together, but Stone said Almandinger had recently transferred to Valley Pathways School.
“Classmates I know are going to feel a great loss and teachers and staff, and I just believe our entire community just feels an tremendous sense of loss,” Stone said. “There’s always a lot to learn about how we treat each other.”
As students mourn Grunwald’s death and process their emotions, Stone said the district’s primary focus is now being a strong foundation for students and making sure they feel safe at school.
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