Indian Lake Schools served as an integral community hub in the hours and days immediately following the EF-3 tornado that devastated the area one year ago.
Friday, March 14, the high school once again served as a gathering place—but this time, as a symbol of hope and resilience, as nearly 200 people came together for a Stronger Than The Storm observance breakfast to honor the first responders and community members who fought through the devastation and mark the progress made since that night.
Among those reflecting on the past year was Indian Lake student Caylie Short, who was thrown from her home in Geiger Trailer Park and landed 50 feet away along U.S. Route 33. Short came away with two severely broken ankles, and spent weeks in the hospital. But on Friday, she spoke of gratitude for the community members who rallied around her family, including students from the Ignite Youth Group, who helped prepare her new home.
Indian Lake student Blake McVety also addressed those in attendance. On the night of the tornado, McVety his father, Tim, tracked the tornado’s path in their TOPS Towing and Garage truck. After clearing a massive tree blocking the road to Orchard Island to let emergency crews through, Blake helped rescue Ross Duff, a family friend with a broken leg. He applied a tourniquet and carried Duff to safety.
Indian Lake student Jacob Freyhof reflected on both his personal experience and the impact the storm had on his father, Russells Point Police Chief Joe Freyhof. As he recalled the destruction and the recovery efforts that followed, Jacob tearfully described the emotional weight carried by first responders. Chief Freyhof later spoke, reminding attendees that while the community has come a long way, the trauma of that night still lingers for those who worked in the immediate aftermath.
The morning’s event recognized not only first responders but also the everyday people who stepped up during the crisis. Logan County Sheriff Randy Dodds presented a letter of commendation to his dispatchers and shared a recognition from Senator Bernie Moreno honoring his staff. Washington Township Police Chief Michael Thompson echoed Chief Freyhof about the emotional toll on first responders and the importance of mental health support for law enforcement.
“Yes, they’re the name and face you see behind the badge, but they’re also human beings,” Freyhof said.
Indian Lake Superintendent Rob Underwood noted that 88 students were directly impacted by the storm, with eight forced to leave the district due to housing loss. But he emphasized that the way the community came together in the days and weeks after the storm was a testament to its strength.
“It is a testament both to our students and their parents and the community,” Underwood said.