This is the story of the struggles within the town of East Windsor, Connecticut.

1. Staying East Windsor Strong
By
Melissa Wabble

2. Populated at about 12,000 residents, East Windsor is a small town. The high
school only contains approximately 375 students. There are hardly any secrets
because word travels fast in a little town like this one. Everybody knows each
other and it is a tight community. Within the past five years, this small town
and its residents struggled through over nine deaths, ranging from ages 14 to
64 . Through these struggles, within the high school especially, the town grew
closer together and became “East Windsor Strong.”

3. East Windsor is a small and simple
town where hardly anything
happens. People like to go off on
their own to enjoy the nature and
to enjoy a beautiful day.

4. There are many ponds around
town that make a good place for
people to relax.

5. There are also convenient stores
such like this one. Sometimes kids
will gather at these stores to hang
out after school.

6. Sometimes it is good to get away
from everything and go for a drive.
Residents travel this road to clear
their mind of the negatives.

7. William A. “Bill” Sassi, Jr., the man
on the left, passed away suddenly
in his bathroom one night after
ordering pizza with his son and
friends. He was his daughter’s
pitching coach for softball and was
a mentor for all. His daughter,
Danielle, had a lot of support from
her friends.
Mr. Sassi is shown making
memories with his daughter, who
stands in the middle with her two
best friends next to her after a
softball game.

8. Elizabeth (Sitnik) Williams passed
away from brain cancer. She was
like a mother to her daughters’
friends. She was the team’s
number one fan at all the games
for soccer, basketball, and outdoor
track. There is now a scholarship
fund in her name for East Windsor
High School students.
This is where Mrs. Williams had to
sit when she was in her
wheelchair. She sat next to the
parents section of the bleachers
and chatted with all the other
moms. She was still at every game
she could and cheered for her
Panther girls.

9. Nicole Weed passed away after an
ATV accident. She was loved by
everybody in school and was
never seen without a smile. She
really knew how to lighten up a
room. The whole town came
together for a candlelight vigil.
There is now a walk for Nicole and
also a scholarship fund for East
Windsor High School students in
her name.
Nicole lays on the beach, enjoying
the beautiful weather. She always
enjoyed the simple things and
loved going to the beach with her
friends.

10. Brooke Wormstedt passed away
after a car crash. She was always
laughing and making people
happy. Brooke was someone who
was easy to talk to and get along
with. The whole town, once again,
came together for a candlelight
vigil.
This is the tree that the car
slammed into, taking the life of
Brooke. Written in the tree says
“RIP Matt and Brooke.” Matt was
another boy from a different town
that passed away in the crash.

11. Nicole’s house is the brick one in
the background and Brooke’s is
the yellow one. They were
neighbors and past away less than
a year apart from each other and
were also in the same grade.

12. George Croft passed away from
pancreatic cancer. He was a coach,
a teacher, and an inspiration to
every person in the high school for
40 years. “Many hands make light
work” was just one of many
Croftisms.
The track at East Windsor High
School was named the George
Croft Track in May 2014 after Mr.
Croft. Because he had such a big
impact on the sport and the
school this was the perfect way to
honor him.

13. Megan Koscinski passed away due
to a heroine overdose at the age
of 14. At such a young age, it was
hard for her peers to make sense
of it all. But they stayed strong for
each other so that everyone could
get through the tough times.
Here is Megan as an innocent
young girl, enjoying her time at
the farm. Her passing was hard
because it had a big impact on
students and her peers. Her
overdose opened many peoples’
eyes.

14. Inside the high school, students all
come together to be strong for
each other and remember their
lost friends. The faculty and staff
made sure that they were also
there for their students. It may be
a small school, but they are a
strong group.

15. East Windsor fans gather at the
girls basketball quarterfinal game
in 2013. This only shows the
student section of the high school.
The bleachers on the left are also
completely filled with East
Windsor residents. The whole
town was brought together for
something positive and enjoyable.

16. There may always be bumps in the
road but this town knows how to
keep moving forward. No matter
what struggles come at them,
they will always be East Windsor
Strong.

17. Nicole, Brooke, Mr. Croft, and Megan all have a page on Facebook that students and
family members can go on and post favorite memories and reminisce on the good
times.
They are all remembered by the joy they brought and what made them so unique
as special individuals. There are a few that were not included and they deserve to
be remembered as well.

18. In Loving Memory of
• Joseph Schweitzer – December 11, 2008 age 15
• William A. “Bill” Sassi, Jr. – October 11, 2009 age 48
• Charlie Gonzalez – September 25, 2010 age 17
• Elizabeth (Sitnik) Williams – September 29, 2011 age 50
• Nicole Weed – July 23, 2012 age 15
• Brooke Wormstedt – May 25, 2013 age 15
• George Croft – December 1, 2013 age 64
• Megan Koscinski – February 16, 2014 age 14
• Sharon Masse – August 10, 2014 age 56