As students at Aitkin High School returned from their winter break Monday, news of a weekend tragedy spread quickly. 

18-year-old Westin Justen and 16-year-old Isaac Fulton collided while snowmobiling on Sunday night. 

Fulton died that night, and Westin passed away the next day.

The death of two high schoolers in a small town was a devastating blow to their families and community. “So I decided to do a vigil with my children, my students,” said Father David Forsman, a pastor at St. James Catholic Church in Aitkin.

Forsman put together a vigil in the boys’ honor, which brought in a big crowd Wednesday night.

“They’re two kids that were well-connected in school, oftentimes put others before themselves,” said Dan Stifter, Superintendent of Aitkin Schools.

Family, friends, even the school Superintendent fondly remembered Justen and Fulton for the things they loved to do. Those who knew 16-year-old Isaac Fulton said he loved the outdoors and spending time in nature. 

For Westin Justen, friends said he also loved the outdoors and had a passion for getting on the water. 

“I do know that he loved to fish, he was on the team that Aitkin had for competitive fishing,” said Forsman.

According to school officials, the vigil is just one way they’re helping students process the tragedy. “Northern Pines is a counseling service we work with in our school, they brought on added counselors for the week,” said Stifter.

For students who didn’t want to speak to a counselor, there are less formal therapy options. 

“Yesterday we had therapy dogs in at lunch periods just to be with kids,” said Stifter. 

In Aitkin, a community is coming together, to be its best, when times seem to be the worst.