It was just another day in Chardon, Ohio, until about 7:30 a.m. on Feb. 27 when a gunman opened fire in the Chardon High School cafeteria with a .22 caliber pistol, killing three of his classmates and injuring two more.
“(When I first heard about the shooting) it was like somebody took me and punched me in the gut. Being from Chardon, having my company based out of Chardon, the first thing I did was call friends of mine whose kids I knew were in the high school,” Stock 20SSH rookie Dave Deck said.
“I was just on my way out the door to head to Cleveland to work and (the incident) put a damper on everything. I still had to go to work but we were glued to the radio to get updates on everything that was going on.”
That morning, the Chardon Community was devastated to hear that Russel King Jr., Demetrius Hewlin and Daniel Parmertor were killed.
Since then, the residents of Chardon have come together and shown support, not only for the families of the victim, but also for one another. Having been raised in Chardon, Deck wanted to do his part and do anything he could to help.
“It was a kick and a blow. Nobody thought that a nice, quiet northeastern community was going to go through this. Chardon has always been a close-knit community but now we are even tighter,” Deck said.
Deck helped organize a fundraiser at a local bowling alley, on March 20 and 21, which consisted of a spaghetti dinner and a Chinese auction. Over the two-day event, Deck had nearly 200 students and community members sign his Tek-Craft Hydroplane Outboard Racing Boat.
Being new to the racing scene this year, Deck wanted to have his boat become a symbol of unity for the high school and the community of Chardon. The signatures are preserved on the hull of the boat with a clear-coat protectant.
“I did not ask for a cent. I got over 200 signatures and I said, ‘If you want to contribute then contribute.’ Together with the spaghetti dinner and the Chinese auction we raised just over $14,000,” Deck said. “Even today I am still collecting donations. Everybody wants to sign the boat and donate.
“The money is going to be given to the Chardon Memorial High School Fund and then it will be turned into, eventually, a scholarship fund, the Chardon High School Scholarship Fund.”
In his rookie season, Deck will be racing in the 20SSH racing class. When he gets comfortable he hopes to move up to CSH.
He grew up in the racing community with his father, who raced in the 1950s. What was instilled in him early on was the atmosphere and camaraderie among racers.
“That’s what turned me on to it, the family atmosphere among racers and the fierce competition,” he said.
“The town of Chardon, a nice little, quiet community, was awaken by a tragedy and has come together and seems to be a tighter, stronger community than it has been, and I am itching to get out on the water.”