Many students in Caledonia High School and around the world were shocked by the news Sunday afternoon of the passing of former Los Angeles Lakers basketball star and legend Kobe Bryant. 

As Monday rolled around, shouting “Kobe” when shooting a basketball or even a paper ball into a classroom trash can felt much heavier and sad.

 Junior Isabella LaFranca stated “I was honestly really sad because he did a lot for not just basketball but for the world. He was a genuinely good person. It hurt even more because of how young his daughter was…” She went on to explain how every victim of the tragedy deserved to be honored too (John and Keri Altobelli, their daughter Alyssa, Sarah and Payton Chester, Mamba basketball coach Christina Mauser, and pilot Ara Zobayan). 

Junior Morgan Baisch expressed her view as she felt that “It’s super sad his daughter was in the crash.” Going on to say, “It was a huge loss for the whole world… not just basketball.” While Junior Lane Purvis conveyed another insight, “It really is sad, his poor wife and family.” 

They all agreed on one statement: Kobe Bryant and the victims will be missed dearly.