Memorial Service Set for Hinsdale Central Student Andrew Park

A celebration service for Andrew Park, a 17-year-old student who died of Leukemia on June 30, has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 12, at Calvary English Chapel, 704 McHenry Rd. in Wheeling, according to the blog kept by Andrew's father, Joe, during his son's illness.

"For any Hinsdale Central students coming, please wear Devil Red in honor of Andrew and please come in casual wear," Joe's July 4 blog post reads. "This is a celebration service, no black please. Come casual as you feel. That's how Andrew would have wanted!"

According to the blog, Andrew was diagnosed with Leukemia in March 2009. 

Hinsdale Central students have commemorated Andrew, who lived in Hinsdale, with red ribbons tied around trees and several messages written on Hinsdale fences. The messages include "ANDREW LIVES ON" and "WE ❤ ANDREW."

See Patch's photos of the messages and ribbons here on its Facebook page.

An email from Hinsdale Central principal Mike McGrory was sent to parents last week.

"It saddens me to tell you that after a long illness Andrew Park, one of our beloved students, passed away Saturday night," McGrory's note reads. "This is a great loss for our Hinsdale Central community."

McGrory said counseling services are available for students through the Guidance Department, which can be reached at 630-570-8253. The principal said parents should talk openly with their child if they observe any change in behavior.  

Grieving students, he said, may exhibit the following signs:

• May become angry or aggressive
• May ask questions surrounding death
• May be withdrawn or moody, sad or depressed
• May have difficulty sleeping
• May have a change in eating habits
• May be unable to focus or concentrate in school
• May appear to be lethargic