ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Apalachee High School and the Barrow County School System welcomed hundreds from the outside community onto campus on Saturday.

The gathering that had food trucks, bounce houses and appearances by Pro Football Hall of Famers was meant to serve as a thank you for the ongoing support the school has received since a deadly shooting at the beginning of the school year.

“I’ve really enjoyed getting to come out and see everybody out here ... all the smiles and laughs,” said Annily Garland, a senior at Apalachee High School.

Garland said the trying year has taught her the value in resiliency and leaning into one’s emotions.

“Being okay with how you’re feeling and being open with other people is really a big thing a lot of us have learned through [the shooting],” she said in an interview with Atlanta News First.

Garland said she was in band class on Sep. 4 when police responded to an active shooter at Apalachee High School.

Four people were killed and seven others were injured as a result of the shooting.

Colt Gray, a student at Apalachee High School, is facing more than 50 charges related to the deadly shooting. He has pleaded not guilty.

“I have to learn to coexist with what happened with being in band, but still find a way to be there for people who are in band,” Garland said.

Pro Football Hall of Famers Terrell Davis and Champ Bailey were guest speakers during the “Barrow Together” community appreciation event.

“The amount of support shown to us this school year has been incredible. We appreciate Peach State Health Plan, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta and the Pro Football Hall of Fame for helping to make this appreciation event possible,” said Dr. Dallas LeDuff, superintendent of Barrow County School System.

In light of the shooting, the district in February hired a recovery coordinator to help the students and staff at Apalachee High School.

“What is unique about my position is I’m focused on all things recovery,” recovery coordinator Kelcie Zimmer said.

Zimmer said she has been connecting staff and students with mental health resources, working to implement more social-emotional components in the classroom and writing grant applications to secure more trauma-informed recovery funding.

“What’s nice about my position is I can focus all my time, all my effort into what the next steps are. How do we meet people individually where they are,” Zimmer said.

Apalachee High School’s last day of the 2024-2025 school year is May 21.

“When you’re able to lean on each other, have that community – [I] have that in band - and have that in whatever you’re passionate about in school, it really helps bring out the best in people,” Garland said.

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