About 100 people gathered Thursday night at the cattle barn on the Johnson County fairgrounds in Franklin to sing, pray and share stories about two teenagers and a child who were hospitalized after a serious crash earlier this week on Interstate 65.
Kya Lasley and Megan Murray, both 17, and Keilyn Stauffer, 10, have been in the hospital since the crash Tuesday, during which their pick-up truck sideswiped another pick-up truck and crashed, rolling over a bridge near the Raymond Street interchange and onto a city street below, police said.
The trio, all 4-H and FFA members from Trafalgar, were on their way to the Indiana State Fair to show cattle. The vigil Thursday marked a special location in the lives of the girls, who had shown cattle at the Johnson County 4-H and Agricultural Fair just weeks prior.
Despite the intensity of the crash, during which Lasley and Murray were thrown from the vehicle and Stauffer had to be extricated from the wreckage, all three girls remained in stable condition.
Though they didn’t make it to the Indiana State Fair, others stepped up to show their animals at the fair. And on Thursday, it was that same 4-H and FFA community that gathered in a show of support for the girls and their families.
Not many people remember who won Grand Champion showing animals at the fair 50 years ago, but people will always remember the friends they made, and that shined through with the outpouring of support for the girls, said Joe Williams, a Franklin resident who helped organize the vigil.
“Everyone goes in wanting a ribbon or a banner. Some succeed, some fail. But those who came here tonight have the Grand Champion drive. This is what 4-H really is,” Williams said. “The compassion you’ve shown for your fellow 4-Hers by coming up tonight, you’re all Grand Champions.”
Murray helped strengthen Delaney Heminger’s interest in livestock, said Heminger, a recent Indian Creek High School graduate and friend of Murray’s. Neither had backgrounds in agriculture but grew to love it, she said.
“I see a lot of myself in Megan. I didn’t grow up around livestock, but I had an injury and I couldn’t do sports. My whole world was crashing in. Megan didn’t grow up around livestock either, and for her to find a passion like me has been a blessing. FFA last year was her first year. She got involved with everything she could. To see someone so passionate about an industry they didn’t grow up in was a blessing,” Heminger said.
The three girls never wavered in their love of agriculture, said Mike Pruitt, a Johnson County fair board member.
“Those kids rocked in their first year,” Pruitt said. “They did a great job. They are great leaders, hard workers. I never saw those girls without dirt on their pants. Getting ready for the fair parade, they were unloading stuff and they still showed up to the parade. Their work ethic was awesome.”
Murray’s aunt, Nikki Leach, shared gratitude for the support of the community.
“We couldn’t be any happier with all the support. Everybody wants to help; it’s unbelievable,” Leach said. “I think they’re going to be fine. It’s a long road, but I believe they’ll make it. One thing we all appreciate is that life means more and more every day.”
Community members who want to help can donate or do household chores in preparation for the girls returning home. Visit the “K3 Strong” Facebook page for different opportunities to help out, said Peggy Elliott, a family friend.
Lasley and Stauffer’s parents were able to see some of the ceremony via video chat, and shared their gratitude.
The vigil brought some serenity to Jennifer Stauffer, mother of Keilyn Stauffer and Kya Lasley.
“I feel peace over me I’ve never felt before,” Jennifer Stauffer said. “Pray for our girls. There’s a very long road ahead of us. I can’t thank you all enough for the outpouring of love.”
The vigil helped Mitch Stauffer, father to the girls, realize how much support there was in the community.
“It means a lot. It’s hard to put into words what this means to us,” Mitch Stauffer said. “Our girls are right here listening. We love all of you. It makes a huge difference. They feel it, we feel it. You’ll never know how much we appreciate it.”
