News

Actions

Benefit concert raises funds for victims of stabbing at Mountain View High School

Posted

OREM, Utah -- This week marks one month since a student went on a stabbing spree at Mountain View High School in Orem. Since that day the school has been working to bring the community together and rally around the five victims.

Monday night a benefit concert was held featuring American Idol contestant Jenn Blosil, who graduated from Mountain View.

Hundreds attended to show their support, with many donating far more than the ticket price to get in. All of the funds go to the stabbing victims and their families.

“We've gone beyond a tragedy, and we look at it as a miracle,” said Chas DeWitt, Assistant Principal at MVHS.

Monday night, a benefit concert was dedicated to the five students who were injured during the attack.

“I believe this will show them there are a lot of people who support them and are grateful they are with us,” DeWitt said.

“Everyone supporting us, it's a really nice thing,” Yafeth Ortiz said.

Yafeth Ortiz was in the locker room during those terrifying moments and watched as one of his classmates stabbed his friend and then turned the knife on him, just missing Yafeth's major arteries. Now Yafeth is grateful to be back at school.

“At first I was nervous, but since I was getting support form everyone that's what made me feel better and I wasn't nervous after,” Yafeth said.

Support from students, faculty, the community, and even local celebrities.

"My heart went out to the families and also anyone who was involved, and what a hard thing to deal with,” Jenn Blosil said.

Former American Idol contestant and singing sensation Jenn Blosil graduated from Mountain View and was happy to come back.

“While unfortunate, it's good to see the community rally around and come support and be together, I think there's so much goodness in the world and this is an opportunity to highlight that,” Blosil said.

“It's a really, really big thing for me," Yafeth said. "There's always nice people around them, there will always be someone loving them and supporting them."

All but one student is back at school. He's still recovering but wants to be back. All the money from this event will go to the survivors and their families. You can still donate using the Alpine School District Foundation's submission form, and donors should indicate that their donation is for the "Bruin Strong" account.

As for the suspect, he is being charged as a juvenile and is facing five counts of attempted criminal homicide.