Hill-Murray students wore red and white Friday, Jan. 6, to support Benilde-St. Margaret’s 16-year-old hockey player Jack Jablonski, who was injured and paralyzed during a game last week.
Hill-Murray in Maplewood has a special connection to the St. Louis Park school and the Jablonski family, said Hill-Murray Principal David Meyer. Jablonski’s father graduated in 1976 from Hill-Murray and BSM principal Sue Skinner taught at the school.
“We felt like we had to do something,” Meyer said.
The school collected money for a fund to support the Jablonski family’s medical expenses and raised $17,000. Students also signed a card for the family during lunch hours.
“It’s just unbelievable that so many people support him. That’s awesome,” said Hill-Murray senior Conrad Sampair, a right wing forward on the hockey team.
As a player, the injury has made Sampair think more before taking the ice.
“Just knowing that’s out there, it’s crazy,” he said. “I feel real bad.”
Junior Erin Donovan, whose little sister plays hockey, said she felt “horrible” when she saw the news.
Both students said Jablonski is in their prayers.
The “red out” happened at several other Twin Cities-area schools Friday — including Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul and Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield — and even some out of state. Other schools — including Totino-Grace in Fridley — will participate Monday, Jan. 9.
