Rushville students find unique way to memorialize classmates

Collecting bottle caps until February 14

(RUSHVILLE, Ind.) – Rushville High School students need community support to honor two of their classmates. 

The school has tragically lost two students in the past year. 

17-year-old Tanner Harrison suddenly passed away on October 16. 

Another student lost her life in a manner that rocked the Rushville community. 

Valerie Tindall, 17, disappeared from her Arlington home this summer. She was missing for several months until her remains were found on the property of 57-year-old Patrick Scott in November. 

Patrick Scott pleaded guilty to her murder this week and has been sentenced to 57 years in prison. 

While the school mourns the loss of both classmates, the students and staff have stepped up to honor them in a unique way. 

They will build two benches made out of bottle caps. The school is encouraging community members to save their bottle caps and donate them to the project. 

Donations can be made every Wednesday from 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the RCHS Laughlin Center. You can also drop off donations at Rushville Nutrition or Arlington Elementary School. 

The school has collected 776 pounds of bottle caps as of Wednesday night and needs about 174 more pounds to accomplish the goal.

The deadline to donate is February 14.