DEERFIELD BEACH, FL, U.S.A.
TEACHER, COACH, COUNSELOR, MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS H.S., PARKLAND, FL
02/14/2018, PARKLAND, FL, U.S.A.
Scott BeigeL, 35-year-old geography teacher and cross country coach was a hero who provided refuge to numerous students as gunshots rang out at Stoneman Douglas High School. Scott Beigel was one of the victims. He was killed as he attempted to save students’ lives. He unlocked his classroom to allow panicked students to take shelter inside during the shooting. He was struck and killed by a bullet while closing the door behind them.
Kelsey Friend, one of the students saved by Scott Beige explained: “When Mr Beige opened the door, he had to re-lock it so that we could stay safe, but he didn’t get the chance.”
Stoneman Douglas student Kelsey Friend said that Scott Beigel saved her life.
Kelsey Friend spoke to Mr Beigel’s family, the teenager said: “Thank you… for giving him the power to be stronger than I could have ever been. He will forever be my hero. I am alive today because of him. I’ll never forget the actions he took for me and for fellow students in the classroom. He was an amazing person and I am alive today because of him. He will be missed.”
Mr. Beigel also worked as a counselor at Starlight Summer Camp in Pennsylvania.
His mother, Linda Schulman, said he wanted to be a teacher because of his positive experiences at the summer camp. He first attended at age 7 and returned every summer.
“He loved going to camp, and he loved working with the kids,” she added. “He is 35 and he still goes there.”
Scott Beigel, a Long Island, NY native, studied education at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, and stayed in South Florida after he graduated. He lived in Deerfield Beach.
“The pride and the love and the admiration that I have for my son, there are no words,” added Linda Schulman.. “He is so humble, and he never knew the value he had in everybody’s life. The school knows he was always committed to whatever it was that he was doing.”
Chad Williams, a member of the school’s cross country team, paid tribute to his former coach:
“I have said RIP too many times in the past 24 hours but RIP coach [Beigel]. You are a king and heaven got a good one. rest easy… ”
Linda Schulman said she plans to reach out to his students and meet with them.