Winter Haven raises funds for bus crash victims

Residents of Winter Haven, Fla., gathered on Monday evening at the Ritz Theatre for a benefit concert titled “Winter Haven United: A Night of Hope.” The event was organized to provide financial and emotional support to the families affected by a deadly school bus crash that occurred on Oct. 5.

The collision involved multiple vehicles and resulted in the deaths of two individuals: Adinaluz Prieto Oyola, a 16-year-old 10th grader at Winter Haven High School, and DeShawn Smith, a 26-year-old driver who was en route to work. The community response has centered on helping those directly impacted by the accident.

Vincent Miller, a former teacher at Winter Haven High School, organized the event. He stated that the concert serves as a way for the community to demonstrate its unity and support for the victims. “It’s important that we give back to our community and show the victims of the accident that we care,” Miller said. He noted that the musical program included songs focused on hope and inspiration, such as “Stand by Me” and “Man in the Mirror.”

Local residents expressed the need to process the tragedy and assist the grieving families. Laura Robinson, a Winter Haven resident, described her initial reaction to the news as disbelief. “I was in disbelief. I had not ever seen anything this tragic,” Robinson said. She added that the community feels the pain of the families and wants to help ease their burden.

Sherry Bryant, president of the Jewett Alumni Association and a co-organizer, emphasized the importance of visible support. “It’s traumatic for them all, so they need to know that we are supporting them all,” Bryant said. The Winter Haven High School choir performed selections during the evening to contribute to the atmosphere of healing.

All proceeds and donations from the concert will go to the Polk Education Foundation. Tracy Porter, the foundation’s senior director, explained that the organization is working with school and district leadership, as well as counselors, to identify specific needs of the affected families. Organizers stated that any funds raised beyond the immediate needs of the families will be allocated to scholarships for the students who were on the bus at the time of the crash.