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When Susie Kenney saw a news clip July 4 about a child that had been hit by a stray bullet, she did not think much about it.
It was not until she received a call from a friend that she realized who the child was, Blair Shanahan Lane, one of her students at Nativity of Mary Catholic School in Independence.
“I immediately called my the two teachers I worked closely with this past year. Telling them was difficult, and they too were struck hard with the news. How could this be possible,” said. “Blair came to Nativity in the middle of the year and that isn’t always easy. She brought with her bright colored supplies and the willingness to do her personal best. She always offered to help other students and adults. She showcased her crafty talents in all projects assigned.”
Blair, who just completed her fifth grade year, was attending a Fourth of July party with family and friends in Kansas City when she was hit by the bullet. She died the next day of her injuries. Aaron Sullivan, 50, of Kansas City, was charged Thursday with felony counts of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action for firing his .900 mm Glock handgun in the air. He was one of four men taking turns shooting the gun, but because it was Sullivan’s gun, he has been the only one charged at this time.
Elizabeth Baker, principal at Nativity of Mary said she was shocked when she heard about the accident. Blair’s stepfather, she said, had called the school to ask for prayers the day after Blair was injured. Baker said the school and church community responded with both prayers and support.
“Blair was a doer, an active member of our community. Whatever event was happening at school, Blair wanted to be involved,” she said. “A good example was the group ‘Girls on the Run.’ Blair was an active member in the group that met in the early morning before school to train for the Truman Run and another 5K. She will best be remembered for her kind heart and willingness to help others.”
Both Baker and Kenney said Blair was heavily involved in community service at the school. A Girl Scout, Blair had hoped to start the program, Foster Socks to provide homeless and foster children with socks. Although at the time of her death, the project was still a work in progress, her parents are continuing Blair’s dram by setting up the Blair Shanahan Lane Memorial Fund. All proceeds will go toward Blair’s Foster Socks Foundation. In addition, her parents are working on a way to collect, store and distribute donations of socks. Blair’s parents are seeking changes to the law, making firing a weapon in the air a felony instead of a misdemeanor, which it is currently considered.
When Susie Kenney saw a news clip July 4 about a child that had been hit by a stray bullet, she did not think much about it.
It was not until she received a call from a friend that she realized who the child was, Blair Shanahan Lane, one of her students at Nativity of Mary Catholic School in Independence.
“I immediately called my the two teachers I worked closely with this past year. Telling them was difficult, and they too were struck hard with the news. How could this be possible,” said. “Blair came to Nativity in the middle of the year and that isn’t always easy. She brought with her bright colored supplies and the willingness to do her personal best. She always offered to help other students and adults. She showcased her crafty talents in all projects assigned.”
Blair, who just completed her fifth grade year, was attending a Fourth of July party with family and friends in Kansas City when she was hit by the bullet. She died the next day of her injuries. Aaron Sullivan, 50, of Kansas City, was charged Thursday with felony counts of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action for firing his .900 mm Glock handgun in the air. He was one of four men taking turns shooting the gun, but because it was Sullivan’s gun, he has been the only one charged at this time.
Elizabeth Baker, principal at Nativity of Mary said she was shocked when she heard about the accident. Blair’s stepfather, she said, had called the school to ask for prayers the day after Blair was injured. Baker said the school and church community responded with both prayers and support.
“Blair was a doer, an active member of our community. Whatever event was happening at school, Blair wanted to be involved,” she said. “A good example was the group ‘Girls on the Run.’ Blair was an active member in the group that met in the early morning before school to train for the Truman Run and another 5K. She will best be remembered for her kind heart and willingness to help others.”
Both Baker and Kenney said Blair was heavily involved in community service at the school. A Girl Scout, Blair had hoped to start the program, Foster Socks to provide homeless and foster children with socks. Although at the time of her death, the project was still a work in progress, her parents are continuing Blair’s dram by setting up the Blair Shanahan Lane Memorial Fund. All proceeds will go toward Blair’s Foster Socks Foundation. In addition, her parents are working on a way to collect, store and distribute donations of socks. Blair’s parents are seeking changes to the law, making firing a weapon in the air a felony instead of a misdemeanor, which it is currently considered.
“One of the many times I saw Blair light up is when she introduced me to a new foster brother, David. I knew by Blair’s reaction to her ‘baby brother’ that she was truly proud to be such a help to her mother in embracing this child into their family,” Baker said. “I think the sock drive in Blair’s memory is totally representative of Blair’s compassion and sensibility. She noted that children come to their family with stuffed animals but not with socks. Her enlightenment about the plight of children who are suddenly taken from their home will help others to think about what a foster child truly needs. We will support this sock initiative wholeheartedly.”
The school plans to offer grief sessions for staff and students when classes resume in August. In addition, the school is planning other ways to remember Blair such as a balloon release and sock drive to help the community heal from the loss.
Kenney said Blair will truly be missed for her warm spirit, her service to others and her kindness to everyone around her.
“Blair definitely learned to be a servant of others from her mother. She valued the time with her mother as she served others in need or ran a benefit 5K. She was a young girl who knew that others depended on her to ‘do’ something,” Kenney said. “She always shared stories of her weekend, which always included some ‘service’ to others. We can all learn from this family. Teaching your children to serve others makes this a better world. And even though Blair was only 11, she did more service for others than most adults could say they have done.”
Breakout Box
For more information on Blair’s Foster Socks, visit the website at blairsfostersocks.org. Donations to the Blair Shanahan lane Memorial Fund can be made to Blue Ridge Bank and Trust, 6202 Raytown Trafficway, Raytown, Mo. 64133.
