Those groups of students just learned that their schools were going to close in July.

View a video of this event at www.timesobserver.com

“Hold your heads high,” Warren County District School Board Member Stephanie Snell said to the group. “You will make new friends. You are going to be OK.”

In a consolidation move, The school board narrowly passed two measures, 5-4, to close Youngsville and Sheffield High Schools.

Students from Youngsville High School are trying to hold back their tears after hearing that their school will be closing.

In a packed meeting room, held at the central administrative offices, Snell cast a “no” vote in opposition to the closures.

“The decision follows a comprehensive review of academic opportunities, student enrollment patterns, and financial projects, all aimed at better preparing students for success in an increasingly competitive world,” Superintendent Gary Weber said in a prepared statement. “By consolidating resources, the district will be able to offer expanded course offerings that will better serve the diverse needs of all students.”

The statement also said “the district is committed to ensuring that the transition is as seamless as possible for students, parents, and faculty.

Avery Darymple of Wrightsville, who is a junior at Youngsville, disagreed, and was not accepting the new plan for closures. She told the board that she would have a hard time in a new environment. She said in her psychology class, she engages in every conversation.

Avery didn’t mince words.

“And my peers in here that are in that class can also vouch for me. You expect me to go sit in a room, with children that I don’t know and be the same engaging (student). I will not be able to engage with people that I don’t know in a facility that I am unaware with, and you (board members) are expecting about 600 of us to do that,” Avery said.

She paused and then commented about student development.

“I think you should have taken into consideration how our brains are developing at this prime stage, and what you are going to do to that. You are going to flip it around, and that’s going to cause detrimental brain development,” Avery added.

Zachary Sanford, who is in opposition to the closures, echoed Avery Darymple’s words.

“Youngsville needs all the services we can tomorrow. What effectively has happened tonight is the death of a family member, a community member, and something incredibly dear to most individuals in the western half of this county. Those students deserve everything that we can give them going forward. … This is a devastating blow to our students, and this is a devastating blow to their families, and our community,” Sanford noted.

Some Sheffield and Youngsville students wondered aloud if they were going to be able to wear their school colors at graduation. There were no answers to that question by any board member.

But Snell offered even more comforting words.

“You will always be an Eagle. You will always be a Wolverine, in a Dragon or a Knight’s body. We are all going to be OK. Just rely on the relationships you’ve built, and the people you trust, and they are still going to be there to support you through everything you do.”