Nose for News, By Sarah Stultz

I have been closely following the stories of a few of the victims in the Valentine’s Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Some of the victims I have read about survived; some didn’t.

I have had particular interest in two who I heard were members of my faith: the first was a 14-year-old freshman, described by her family as “a vibrant and determined young woman, loved by all who knew her” who loved to serve; and the second was a 17-year-old junior at the school, who was shot at least three times, and who was described as being a talented basketball player and “enthusiastic girl who loves life.”

These two teenage girls attended the same church congregation and were two of an estimated 12 students of the same faith at the school.

The younger of the two young women, Alaina Petty, passed away in the shooting, while the elder of the two girls, Madeleine “Maddy” Wilford survived. News reports say Wilford suffered at least three bullet wounds that day to her chest, abdomen and arm, and on the day of the shooting officers responding at one point thought she was dead. In a split second a first responder decided to send her to a hospital closer to the school, a decision which is being described as potentially life-saving.

It had only been 12 days on Monday since the shooting, but Wilford had already been released from the hospital a few days prior — essentially almost fully recovered. The only outward sign of injury was on her arm, and she could be ready to return to school in the next week.

She had endured three major surgeries within 40 hours and on Monday that 17-year-old girl said she was grateful to be alive and thanked the doctors and first responders and all those who had sent positive thoughts her way.

“I’m grateful to be here and it wouldn’t be possible without those officers and first responders and these amazing doctors, and especially all the love that everyone has sent,” she said in a news conference with her parents and first responders.

Though they were aware of the horrible things that had happened all around them, what amazed me the most was that in the middle of this horrible tragedy, this family and the family of 14-year-old Petty was looking for the good. Amid the stress of what they had been through they were trying to find something positive to share.

“I see this as, yes it is a tragedy, but I would like to try to find a way to find the positive in what has happened here in our community,” Maddy’s mother, Missy Wilford, said on NBC News. “What I feel very strongly about, first and foremost, is the power of prayer. We have had an outpouring from people that we don’t know, people that now I consider to be our friends.”

Petty’s father, Ryan, said he was not angry at the shooter and instead essentially felt that “we, as a society, failed this young man.” 

It is remarkable to see that forgiveness for such a heinous act.

Most of what we have been hearing about in the national media has been the political debate in the aftermath of this shooting, and it has been refreshing to see this focus on the good.

It’s hard to say how we would respond if something as horrific as this shooting or another terrible tragedy happened in our own lives, but there are many we could learn lessons from if we take the time to listen to their stories.

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune. Her column appears every Tuesday.