APRIL 20, 1999 - LITTLETON, COLO.
In memory of a good person, teacher
By Kris Hudson
Camera Staff Writer
Even before this tragedy erupted, Columbine High School wasn't the same school I remember from the late 1980s. But by now, it's obvious William David Sanders was the same man.
As a 1990 graduate of Columbine, I have no trouble believing that Mr. Sanders saved students' lives on Tuesday before a killer's bullets eventually claimed his. Protecting those students was what any good human being would have done, and that's precisely what Mr. Sanders was.
Columbine has nearly doubled in both structural size and student headcount in the past decade. I haven't walked the halls in years, but I'm sure I'd have trouble recognizing the "Home of the Rebels" now.
Mr. Sanders, however, remained the same. He still loved coaching girls' sports, most likely because he had two daughters of his own. He still taught business, though news reports mistakenly identified him as a science teacher. And he still worked at Columbine, where he steadily left his discreet mark on thousands of lives since 1975.
"That's right, he taught business back then," my sister, an '86 CHS grad, gasped over the phone on Wednesday, her recognition and sadness gaining momentum with each word.
I, too, passed through Mr. Sanders' business class. As well, he was among the many coaches who guided the Rebel track team during my three years as a discus thrower. Since he coached runners then, I mostly knew him as a teacher.
Mr. Sanders was fair, but not a pushover. He was firm, but not harsh. When other teachers might blow their tops, he would keep a calm, even demeanor.
It's funny how one tiny occurrence can cement your memory of someone. For me, it was an innocent-looking real estate question on one of Mr. Sanders' tests. The question asked who could pay the discount points on a mortgage loan, the buyer or the seller?
I chose one option and discovered when the tests were returned that I had answered incorrectly. But Mr. Sanders gave the class a second chance, allowing us to answer the questions again and resubmit the tests. Ever the opportunist, I changed my answer to the other option, but it too came back marked incorrect.
The correct answer: Both.
Mr. Sanders' point: No one will guess his way through this class. If you want to pass, you'll study.
No doubt, that type of guidance, coupled with his caring nature, will be Mr. Sanders' calling cards in the memories of Columbine students, faculty and alumni.
"I think Dave ought to be remembered as a very caring coach and teacher," said Columbine algebra teacher Terry Havens, who coached Rebel runners with Sanders for more than 20 years. "I think he had a special knack to be sensitive to the different needs of kids. (It) was unique."
I learned of Mr. Sanders' death when I visited the memorial at Clement Park on Wednesday night. The scene was unreal. Students mourned and searched for answers. Thick, black cables leading to countless television cameras snaked through the same grass where a friend and I sat and thumbed through our senior yearbooks nine years ago. Mostly, though, there were sullen faces of all ages, all races, all backgrounds.
Columbine, the vanilla high school that symbolized much of suburban Colorado, will never be the same.
"I don't think they're going to open it up again," Chad Bontraeger, a 1990 graduate, said later. "And you feel like you're one of the 26 graduating classes that will ever come out of there. We're forever going to be associated with this horrible atrocity that went on."
And now we have one fewer good teacher, one fewer good human being, to help us remember the Columbine that was.
April 23, 1999
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BACKGROUND
Full index of the shooting Reconstruction of the shooting Timeline Location the school Floorplan Weapons used
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AUDIO
'Friend of Mine' Listen to the Columbine Memorial song sung by Columbine students Jonathan and Stephen Cohen.
911 tapes
Interview with Arun Ghandi |
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PHOTOS
A Daily Camera photo essay detailed the tragedy of April 20 and the recovery and remembrance in the following weeks: photo essay
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INTERACT
In light of the shooting on April 20, should the state legislature allow people to carry concealed weapons? vote here
With the recent rise in school violence, do you feel schools are still safe? vote here
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THE INVESTIGATION
Gunmen paid for weapons, teenager claims CHS investigators focus on computers Investigators try to disprove third CHS shooter Man charged with selling handgun to child FBI investigator's son linked to case Agents creating models of Columbine Teen targeted by sheriff denies involvement in school attack Arrest in Columbine shooting Killer reportedly took Luvox antidepressant Officials no closer to arresting suspects Detectives question shooter's girlfriend Security videotapes at school may show whether gunmen had help Bombs found in cafeteria Portraits of the killers Killer's diary describes plot of hate |
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SCHOOL VIOLENCE
Violence in Georgia School violence stuns nation Teen wounds six fellow students Teens charged in alleged school attack plot Michigan teenagers charged in plot Other school shootings 1927 school bombing killed nearly 40 children Suspensions, arrests across country La. school site of another shooting Facts: Death in schools 'Blood in the School Yard', from the Cincinnati Post full series |
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REACTION
High schools' 'cult of the athlete' under scrutiny Parents of Columbine shooters sued Suit planned against parents of Columbine High shooters Columbine spurs interest in home schools Columbine healing fund raises $2.3 million Safe Night aims to curb youth violence CU frat shows support for Columbine 'Healing bear' arrives to help in Littleton Doctors: Guilt a normal reaction for survivors School security business surges Media the message? Broomfield couple campaigns to 'Erase the Hate' Clint Talbott - BVSD rejects dress code What now? Video of Clinton's Wednesday morning speech Video of Clinton's Tuesday speech
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GUNS AND LAW
GOP tinkers further with gun legislation Columbine dad lobbies Washington Group forms to back gun control Poll says two-thirds in U.S. support tougher restrictions on guns Senate passes more gun controls Columbine killers also wounded the NRA Senate rejects any new restrictions on gun-show sales Dems want special session Gun control strife House won't debate gun bill New gun laws on table Leaders scrap gun bills Guns and legislatures |
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HOW TO HELP
- The Denver Rocky Mountain News has established a drive to raise money for a memorial to the victims of the Columbine High School tragedy. Contributions may be mailed to the Columbine Memorial Fund, c/o The Jefferson Foundation, 809 Quail St., Building 1, Lakewood, CO 80215.
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