Personal story draws student to walk

Although many families were honored at the Out of the Darkness walk held on Sunday, Sept. 13, the memory of one individual inspired Cannon Schohenbeck to attend.

“I decided to participate in the walk for my fellow pledge brother, Kevin Leonard,” said Schohenbeck, a freshman global business major from Pell City. The loss of Leonard’s little brother, Kyle Leonard, was an unexpected and hard time for him, Schohenbeck said.

“I would have felt horrible not honoring his brother by doing the walk and raising awareness and increasing the prevention of suicide.”

“The live music was definitely my favorite of everything,” Schohenbeck said. “It created the atmosphere for the event and made everyone seem more connected, regardless of their origin or reasons for being there.”

“I will definitely return next year if this continues annually,” he said. “This walk was a very life-altering and eye-opening experience.”