Licking Valley teen remembered for warm spirit, quick wit
When Licking Valley Local Schools staff think of Adah Krokonko, they fondly remember her warm spirit, the way her smile lit a room, and her creative personality.
The 16-year-old died after sustaining serious injuries from a June crash involving two other teens, and their community has since rallied around all three families. Via a GoFundMe account, they've raised over $40,000 to help with medical and funeral expenses for her family. The district recently held a student support open house at their high school, where counselors, therapy dogs, school staff and more were made available.
Caraline Johnston was Krokonko's English teacher last year as a sophomore and taught her in a women's literature elective as a freshman. Johnston said the teen was one of the most creative students, whether it was in her art or writing.
"She had an interesting perspective and a strong voice as a writer," she said, later noting her strong writer's voice wasn't common for Krokonko's age. "I was privileged I got to spend so much time reading her work and seeing what her perspective was of the world. For a teenager to have such a strong voice in writing is a gift. It's something I will be missing over the next couple years, for sure."
According to Krokonko's obituary, the teen had found a natural talent for writing and had planned to pursue an English major upon graduation from high school to become an English teacher.
Through Johnston's class, the teacher said she had many writing conferences about Krokonko about her ideas and how to flesh those out. Their class was the first period of the day, she said noting she was pregnant last year, and Krokonko, despite not being much of a morning person, always came into her classroom with a smile and frequently checked on her as the teacher battled morning sickness.
"Adah was a connector of people. She liked being around people. She liked talking to people...as a teenager, she was not afraid to sit down and have a conversation with adults or anyone in the classroom," Johnston said. "She'll be remembered for that warmth...We're really seeing the affects of (her) on people as people are coming around her family. Everybody was touched by Adah. She brought out the best in all of us and continues to do that."
Superintendent Scott Beery served as Krokonko's middle school principal for three years. He repeatedly described the teen as amazing, remembering how she always went out of her way to say something to him daily at lunch.
"I like to laugh and joke with the kids - she could laugh and give it right back," he said. "As a principal, I was not in the classroom as much as I would like to be. Every day at lunch, it never failed, no matter where I was, she would go out of her way and say something."
Beery said although many of the district's kids are friendly and open, the teen had an ability to make someone feel better without trying. He remembered she was always smiling and never seemed to have a bad day.
"It's rare in this world, that people's presence, just her presence made us feel better," he said. "I'm really going to miss that."
Beery mentioned the open house held last week, which provided support, but said the district will have support for the return to school next month as well.
"There were two other kids in that accident that are healing - we gotta be there for them too. We will do that when we get back to school as well," he said, adding they're sure students will want to do something to commemorate Krokonko and will follow their lead. "We won't forget. We'll make sure we do it and do it right."
Whitney Malone, Licking Valley High School principal, served as Krokonko's principal the last two years. She described the teen as a wonderful person, someone who was shy in the morning and more outgoing as the day went on, someone with a fun, amazing personality.
"I didn't work with her every day as assistant principal. Last year every day, her group of friends sat right next to the administrative area in the commons area. She was just part of a wonderful group of girls," Malone said. "She always had a really fun ability to joke back and forth with our table and group. She had a warm personality. She was easy for people to talk to."
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking Valley teen remembered for warm spirit, quick wit
