San Marcos Offers Support to Students and Staff Following Tragedy

Evelina Erickson, Noelle Cabrera, and Olivia Marceda • November 7, 2023

On the morning of November 6, a 16-year-old San Marcos High School student was pronounced dead after being struck by a train.

As reported by local news sources, emergency personnel were called to the railroad tracks in the 4500 block of Hollister Avenue, near the former County Juvenile Hall building, around 9:00 a.m.

The name of the individual is currently withheld and pending permission to release from her family.

The San Marcos College and Career Center was turned into a compassion center today with therapists available (SM King’s Page)

Principal Holdren spoke directly to students today during second period morning announcements, offering his support and care through this trying time.

When asked by the King’s Page for further comment, Principal Holdren said, “I am profoundly saddened by the passing of our student and my heart goes out to their family and friends. I appreciate that our community has come together to support one another during this difficult time.”

Every teacher at San Marcos has been asked to speak to their class to acknowledge the tragedy and make students aware of available mental health resources.

San Marcos Admin Conference Room (A.C.R.)

The College and Career Center (B-6) was turned into a compassion center today with therapists from Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness present from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tomorrow, there will be one dedicated therapist in the Admin Conference Room (A.C.R.) throughout the school day on call for any student or staff to talk to.

In addition to the professional therapists, there were art supplies, kinetic sand, fidget tools, snacks, and water in the College and Career Center for students and staff. Further on and off campus mental health resources are listed below.

Resources Provided on/off Campus:

COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER (B-6)

Therapists from Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

San Marcos College and Career Center in room B-6 (SM King’s Page)

(Nov. 7)

ADMIN CONFERENCE ROOM (A.C.R.) – near the J-Wing

Therapist on call, Nov. 8.

HELP LINES IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Crisis & Help Line for ages 0-20. Call 8am-8pm (888.334.2777)

Access Line for Services for all ages Call 24/7 (888.868.1649)

NATIONAL HOTLINES

National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call/Text 988 or (800.273.8255)

Teen Peer Line 6pm-10pm. Call (800.852.8336) Text TEEN to (839.863)

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About the Contributors

Evelina Erickson, Editor-in-Chief

Evelina Erickson is a senior at San Marcos High School. It is currently her fourth year with the King’s Page. For the past two years she has been the news editor and feature editor. This year she is excited to be one of the Editor-in-Chief and the news editor. Evelina enjoys writing about all topics but especially would like to move or inspire the people who read her articles. She is also a part of the Entrepreneurship Academy on campus. When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, arts and crafts, logic puzzles, playing golf, and hanging out with friends.

Noelle Cabrera, Editor in Chief

Noelle is an 12th grader at San Marcos High School. This is her fourth year on The King’s Page and she is now the Editor in Chief. Journalism is currently her favorite class and she is also a member of the San Marcos Ethnic Studies Club. Outside of school she volunteers with animals, is a member of the Youth Making Change Board and is in the Santa Barbara Chapter of GenUp.

Olivia Marceda, Editor-in-Chief

Olivia is a San Marcos High School senior, and this is now her fourth year with the King’s Page. She loves dogs and has a two-year-old Pomeranian. She enjoys reading, coffee, fashion, music, and going out with friends. Her favorite color is pink, and she is the campus fashion club president. She is involved in the Entrepreneurship Academy, and in her past years with the King’s Page, she was a Staff Writer, Lifestyle Editor, and Sports Editor, but this year, she is very excited to be an Editor-in-Chief.