Staying East Windsor StrongBy

Melissa Wabble

Populated at about 12,000 residents, East Windsor is a small town. The high school only contains approximately 375 students. There are hardly any secrets because word travels fast in a little town like this one. Everybody knows each other and it is a tight community. Within the past five years, this small town and its residents struggled through over nine deaths, ranging from ages 14 to 64 . Through these struggles, within the high school especially, the town grew closer together and became “East Windsor Strong.”

East Windsor is a small and simple town where hardly anything happens. People like to go off on their own to enjoy the nature and to enjoy a beautiful day.

There are many ponds around town that make a good place for people to relax.

There are also convenient stores such like this one. Sometimes kids will gather at these stores to hang out after school.

Sometimes it is good to get away from everything and go for a drive. Residents travel this road to clear their mind of the negatives.

William A. “Bill” Sassi, Jr., the man on the left, passed away suddenly in his bathroom one night after ordering pizza with his son and friends. He was his daughter’s pitching coach for softball and was a mentor for all. His daughter, Danielle, had a lot of support from her friends.

Mr. Sassi is shown making memories with his daughter, who stands in the middle with her two best friends next to her after a softball game.

Elizabeth (Sitnik) Williams passed away from brain cancer. She was like a mother to her daughters’ friends. She was the team’s number one fan at all the games for soccer, basketball, and outdoor track. There is now a scholarship fund in her name for East Windsor High School students.

This is where Mrs. Williams had to sit when she was in her wheelchair. She sat next to the parents section of the bleachers and chatted with all the other moms. She was still at every game she could and cheered for her Panther girls.

Nicole Weed passed away after an ATV accident. She was loved by everybody in school and was never seen without a smile. She really knew how to lighten up a room. The whole town came together for a candlelight vigil. There is now a walk for Nicole and also a scholarship fund for East Windsor High School students in her name.

Nicole lays on the beach, enjoying the beautiful weather. She always enjoyed the simple things and loved going to the beach with her friends.

Brooke Wormstedt passed away after a car crash. She was always laughing and making people happy. Brooke was someone who was easy to talk to and get along with. The whole town, once again, came together for a candlelight vigil.

This is the tree that the car slammed into, taking the life of Brooke. Written in the tree says “RIP Matt and Brooke.” Matt was another boy from a different town that passed away in the crash.

Nicole’s house is the brick one in the background and Brooke’s is the yellow one. They were neighbors and past away less than a year apart from each other and were also in the same grade.

George Croft passed away from pancreatic cancer. He was a coach, a teacher, and an inspiration to every person in the high school for 40 years. “Many hands make light work” was just one of many Croftisms.

The track at East Windsor High School was named the George Croft Track in May 2014 after Mr. Croft. Because he had such a big impact on the sport and the school this was the perfect way to honor him.

Megan Koscinski passed away due to a heroine overdose at the age of 14. At such a young age, it was hard for her peers to make sense of it all. But they stayed strong for each other so that everyone could get through the tough times.

Here is Megan as an innocent young girl, enjoying her time at the farm. Her passing was hard because it had a big impact on students and her peers. Her overdose opened many peoples’ eyes.

Inside the high school, students all come together to be strong for each other and remember their lost friends. The faculty and staff made sure that they were also there for their students. It may be a small school, but they are a strong group.

East Windsor fans gather at the girls basketball quarterfinal game in 2013. This only shows the student section of the high school. The bleachers on the left are also completely filled with East Windsor residents. The whole town was brought together for something positive and enjoyable.

There may always be bumps in the road but this town knows how to keep moving forward. No matter what struggles come at them, they will always be East Windsor Strong.

Nicole, Brooke, Mr. Croft, and Megan all have a page on Facebook that students and family members can go on and post favorite memories and reminisce on the good times.

They are all remembered by the joy they brought and what made them so unique as special individuals. There are a few that were not included and they deserve to be remembered as well.

In Loving Memory of• Joseph Schweitzer – December 11, 2008 age 15

• William A. “Bill” Sassi, Jr. – October 11, 2009 age 48

• Charlie Gonzalez – September 25, 2010 age 17

• Elizabeth (Sitnik) Williams – September 29, 2011 age 50

• Nicole Weed – July 23, 2012 age 15

• Brooke Wormstedt – May 25, 2013 age 15

• George Croft – December 1, 2013 age 64

• Megan Koscinski – February 16, 2014 age 14

• Sharon Masse – August 10, 2014 age 56