Honoring Erin: A Student’s Legacy Lives on in the Westfield Pyramid
A former FCPS parent is committed to making a difference in the Westfield High School pyramid after experiencing tremendous grief. Celeste Peterson lost her daughter, Westfield graduate Erin Peterson, in the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech in 2007.
“After losing Erin I felt like I was just going through the motions of life with no real direction. Erin was my direction.” While grieving Erin’s death, a friend asked Celeste if she would be interested in mentoring a group of young boys at Westfield.
“I was asked to come and observe the young guys and was motivated by a story one of them told me about Erin. I felt like she was directing me as to what to do.” While dealing with grief, Celeste realized that her daughter helped so many people in the community, so she decided to continue the legacy.
Today, Celeste leads four mentoring groups across Stone Middle School and Westfield High School, embodying a nurturing spirit that resonates with each student she guides. Her approach is deeply personal, treating every student as if they were her own, ensuring their unique needs are met with empathy and understanding.
Each mentoring session begins with reflective journaling, encouraging students to explore their thoughts and engage in open dialogue. These gatherings foster an environment where students can freely express themselves, share their interests, and candidly discuss life's challenges.
One of the many lives touched by Celeste's mentorship is Mackenzie Vance, a senior at Westfield HS who earned a full scholarship to Coppin State University. Mackenzie attributes her success to the invaluable life skills she learned through the program.
“Mrs. P. has taught me habits like journaling, recognizing my emotions and the right way to act on them, how to build good decision-making habits, and how to handle situations with people who aren't getting the same maturity skills I get in GRACE (the Westfield girls' group that Celeste mentors). These traits strengthen me as a leader and a collaborator, to the point where I lead in multiple areas in my life, academically, in my extracurriculars, and even at home.”
Celeste's mentorship not only empowers students academically but also nurtures personal growth and resilience, shaping them into confident individuals ready to face the world. Looking forward, she envisions expanding these impactful programs to reach more students across various schools. Celeste's unwavering dedication exemplifies the essence of community support and the transformative power of mentorship.
