NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Wednesday marks one week since the deadly shooting that shook many Antioch High School students and faculty.
However, community leaders and volunteers across Middle Tennessee have worked to make sure students and staff know they aren't forgotten. Wednesday was the second day back to school for some Antioch High School students.
"People are still in pain," Metro Councilmember for District 8 where Antioch High School sits, Deonté Harrell, said.
Immediately following the shooting, an Antioch church opened its doors for prayer and healing. Antioch High students and staff took the rest of the week off and returned to school Tuesday. At least 500 care packages, put together by local educator LaBria Appleton and a pastor, were waiting for staff members.
"I was like, 'Come on in, let's just pack these bags,'" Senior Pastor for Family Fellowship at Hamilton Church, Quentin Dickerson, said. "Whatever you need from the church or you need from our part of the community, we have it. Let's do it."
Dickerson told News 2 it was all in an effort to create a space for staff to feel loved and seen. Another pastor, standing alongside other area leaders and the director of Metro Nashville Public Schools, greeted students at the door Tuesday.
"I also thought about the kid who put her head on my shoulder and wept, and she had no words," senior leader of Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Nashville, Bishop Joseph Warren Walker III, said. "She just wept, and I embraced her, and then I saw her; this happened on Sunday, and I saw her when she came into the school, and I saw her move from tears to joy, and the joy was 'You didn't leave me; you are still here.'"
Since the shooting, support and love for students and staff have poured out from surrounding communities — including from Belmont University, Tennessee State University, Lipscomb University and other area college students. Around 800 students volunteered their time and created more than 100 cards expressing support for Antioch High School students and staff.
"A lot of them drew freehand; there was a lot of handwriting, a lot of note-writing, like long letters, not just the card, but really heartfelt messages," Director of Community Affairs at Meharry Medical College, Majornette Jefferson, said.
"They wanted the students to know they were not alone," Jefferson said. "There was an overall theme of: there are people here to support you."
Harrell dropped the cards off on Wednesday.
"[It was] somewhat emotional, but it was well received," Harrell said. "This is one of those moments where through a tragedy, you are able to see the magnitude of our community."
Middle Tennessee community members told News 2 they have no plans to stop and they will continue to support Antioch High School any way they can.