By Mark Boshnack
Life as a reporter means never really knowing what is going to be coming your way.
The most ordinary day can become one that you will never forget.
I was reminded of that again Jan. 20, when the first reports came over the newsroom scanner, shortly before 3 p.m., of an accident involving a tractor-trailer and a police vehicle.
It was several hours later that the tragedy took on a human face when word started to spread that state police at Oneonta Trooper Jill Mattice, a school resource officer at Franklin Central and Unadilla Valley Central schools, had died in the accident.
Reporting on tragedies such as Mattice's death can be one of the hardest assignments. While it is my job to inform our readers about who the person was, there are family and friends who are dealing with their grief and may not be willing to talk.
Mattice's immediate family, including her husband, Troy, of Oneonta; parents Jeff and Karen Farrar; and brother Nate Farrar of the Cheektowaga area, would soon issue a statement through the state police that they wanted privacy to deal with their loss.
But in the case of Mattice, who touched so many lives, there were other "family" members who could share their feelings and talked about who Mattice was. This included her school in Cheektowaga, Troop C at Sidney, and the Franklin and Unadilla Valley central schools.
The loss was on the faces of many of the 500 state troopers, and many others who attended her funeral in Williamsville. The display of respect for Mattice and support for her family and fellow troopers is something that I will never forget.
It reminded me of something several people at Franklin had talked about several days earlier.
School psychologist Jen Potrzeba said that for students and staff, "the event reminded them that life was short. You never know."
I had last seen Franklin Principal Jason Thomson for a story, shortly before word was received of the death of 2006 graduate Nick Uzenski, who died in combat in Afghanistan.
When I talked to him again, the school was making plans to help staff and students deal with the loss of Mattice, who they had known as "Trooper Jill," he said.
"We have strong people in place and we will fight through this," said Thomson, who was struggling with the latest news himself.
"The kids just adored her. She had such a kind caring way with people." He said he was "numb" that the school community was dealing with another loss so soon.
"You can't even describe how much she will be missed," he said.
Franklin Superintendent Gordon Daniels said that planning on how to deal with the loss began in confidence until school officials were certain her family knew.
The board of education room, guidance room and faculty room were all set up as "care rooms" to help students deal with the loss.
One of those who served as a counselor was school substitute Marv Root, a retired chaplain.
Students were encouraged to write or draw on paper as a way to work through their grief, he said.
In talking with staff, he reminded them that "grief was a process and we all have to support one another." This included encouraging students and staff to express their feeling, he said.
One of those willing to share her thoughts was senior Ariel Osterhout. Although she had worked with Mattice through Students Against Destructive Decisions, she wished she would have gotten more involved with her.
As a result, she said, "I learned that if you have something to say to something to say to someone, you should tell them before it's too late."
{"DS | Tag/ed note"/}Mark Boshnack can be reached at 432-1000 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 218, or at mboshnack@thedailystar.com.
