By Mary Lou Kilian
Editor

Plattsburgh - Tuesday, Nov. 15, was a day of shock and grief for the Seton Catholic Central community as students and staff learned that two of their students had been killed.

Dat T. Ong, 17, of Vietnam, and Chu Xiong, 18, of China, both international students at Seton, were killed when they were struck by a car near their host family's home  in Peru.

State Police are still investigating the cause of the accident that also killed two other teenagers.
Authorities believe Brandon Rennert, 17, of Peru was driving the car that struck and killed the Seton students who were walking along Peasleeville Road just before 5 p.m. The car then hit an earthen embankment several hundred feet away and exploded in flames. Rennert and his girlfriend, Samantha Donah, 17, of Plattsburgh, who was a passenger in the car, also died.

One week later, on Nov. 22, the Seton community came together for a memorial service with the boys’ family members from China and Vietnam in attendance. The service incorporated aspects of Buddhist traditions in honor of Dat’s heritage. The service featured a scripture reading, Buddhist reading, and various speakers, including St. Joseph Sister Ellen Rose Coughlin, diocesan superintendent of schools. Students also presented plans for a memorial on the school grounds.

Week of prayer, support
The formal service followed a week of prayer and support for the Seton community. Principal Catherine Russell said, “this is a small area and this tragedy touches everyone. We have received offers to help from just about every school district in the area and as far away as Potsdam and Salmon River. “We are truly blessed to have such a large extended community,” she said.

On the morning after the accident, school opened with an assembly and prayer service, led by Ms Russell and Father Timothy Canaan, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church.  Andrew Lauria, librarian and marketing director at the school, said, “It was a very heavy day at Seton and we had many counselors from Catholic Charities, several priests, and other volunteers to help handle the needs of the students and staff.  “We, the staff, were just in shock,” he said.

“We posted a couple of big sheets of poster paper on the windows in the lobby and the students have been creating a large, sort of mural of words and sentiments,” Lauria said. “It has been a ‘wall of remembrance’ that continued to grow through the week.“The outreach from other schools, families, previous staff and students, and community members has been wonderful,” he said. “People sent us food, flowers, and even boxes of tissues. 

“We have a wonderful community at Seton and it has really shown in this tragedy,” he said. “I have been especially impressed by my co-workers,” Lauria continued. “Their patience, understanding, and willingness to offer themselves to any of the students in this time of need is incredible.  I haven't seen anything like this in my life, nor have I ever seen a group of people act with such compassion.  “I am honored to be working with this staff,” he said

About Dat and Chu (Allen)
After just three months at the school, the young men had made a deep impression at the Plattsburgh Catholic school.

“Dat Thanh Ong, loved meeting new friends and the feeling of the wind blowing against him while he rode his motorcycle,” Ms. Russell said

“He loved sports, especially basketball, volleyball and baseball,” she said. “He also loved to cook.”
Chu Xiong, who was known as Allen in his American school, “loved to run and participate in the martial arts,” Ms. Russell said. “He drew wonderful comics and excelled at the trombone. He had a great sense of humor and loved the outdoors.”

“Both boys had been here since September,” she said. “they had adjusted well and Seton was blessed to have them as members of our community. “