Suicide victims remembered at Wilkes ceremony

WILKES-BARRE — More than 200 students and faculty members at Wilkes University gathered on the steps of the school’s Eugene S. Farley Library to pay tribute to those impacted by suicide, including a Wilkes student-athlete, with a candlelight vigil Sunday night.

Atop the library’s steps was a poster of former Wilkes football player Travis “Bo” Tkach, who graduated from the university in 2007 before tragically taking his own life a few months after.

“We are here to honor those like Bo Tkach, but to also give hope hope to those of us who are still fighting, still struggling,” said Wilkes softball coach Jackie Klahold.

Klahold spoke on behalf of Bo’s father Jim, who was unable to attend Sunday’s vigil. Jim is the founder of the Bo Tkach Foundation, which strives to raise awareness of mental health issues while also raising funds for youth programs, scholarships and mental health treatment.

Bo’s name was written on the top step of the library in sidewalk chalk; around him and all down the steps onto the walkway were the names of other suicide victims, ranging from famous people to friends and family members of the Wilkes community.

The vigil began with opening remarks from Wilkes Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Paul Adams.

“This vigil is a testament to the compassion of our Wilkes community,” Adams said. “Hopefully the spirit seen here and the conversations started here carry with us long after we all leave here tonight.”

Adams passed the microphone to Klahold, who ran to a list of Bo Tkach’s accomplishments. Among them, Tkach was a two-time all-state football player, won the District 11 javelin championship twice and was named to ESPN’s Academic High School All-American team in 2001.

Tkach accepted a scholarship to play football at the University of Delaware, and also played at Lehigh before finishing his career and graduating Magna Cum Laude from Wilkes in 2007.

“In Bo’s short life, he accomplished more than some people do in a lifetime,” Klahold said.

Also spoken for were Bo’s accomplishments in community service. He ran football seminars at high schools throughout the Lehigh Valley and volunteered his time at youth football clinics.

The evening’s final speaker was the student who put the whole thing together: Wilkes softball player Caylee-Mae Williams, who was visibly emotional as she gave her own powerful remarks.

“Suicide means something different to each one of us,” Williams said. “Some of us are here because we’ve lost someone to suicide, some are here to show support.”

The idea for Sunday’s vigil came to Williams while walking home from softball practice one night. As she passed through nearby Kirby Park, she saw a similar suicide prevention event going on and wanted to bring something like that to Wilkes.

“It was a lot of work,” she said at the end of the vigil. “I honestly thought there would be 25 to 50 people here, so to see this crowd … I honestly don’t have any words.”

After Williams finished speaking, a moment of silence was held in honor of Tkach, and for suicide victims everywhere. Candles that had been passed out before the vigil were lit and held up; for those who didn’t have a candle, cell phone light was used as a substitute.

The silence spoke louder than words as the crowd bowed their heads and held their candles high.

After the moment had passed, Adams reminded everyone of the number for the National Suicide Prevention hotline, as well as Wilkes’ own 24-hour hotline and the school’s Campus Counseling office.

Williams, who candidly detailed her own struggles, had words of hope and encouragement for everyone in attendance at the vigil, especially those who may be fighting with depression and looking for help.

“It feels like some days, the world is just raining down on you,” Williams said.

“But those clouds will pass, and the sun will shine again.”