Michelle Berra is a little on the serious side, but has a smile that will light up a room. A young lady who can skillfully spar a grown man in martial arts, or sing like an angel in the Berthoud High School Show Choir. She is a bright young lady, who loves school and takes her studies very seriously. She was once so full of happiness and joy, it made your soul feel good to be around her. That was until a few months ago, when a tragic accident occurred. Michelle Berra is the young lady driving the Landcruiser in the January 15 accident. Michelle is one who loves, and cares, not one who would intentionally bring harm to anyone.

Michelle has grown stronger in the past few months. She has been forced to become as strong as a rock against a wind of anger. That night on that lonely, dark road her life changed forever, along with the lives of two wonderful boys. Who can imagine the horror of that evening? As a parent, I shudder to think of what all of those kids went through that night, and what they will endure for the rest of their lives. It could have been any one of us, or our children on that road January 15th.

Now that stories have come out in the media, people are aware of what Michelle did the night of the accident. Who would have believed that a young lady of her age would have the wherewithall to leave her vehicle and help the emergency medical team in the way she did. Through her tears she obeyed their direction and had the strength to assist. There is more about Michelle that we now know. Where most people might have quivered in a corner out of fear, she stood tall and took on the world. She's reached out her hand to those who are angry, knowing it might be slapped away. Having been a quiet, more private person before, she has been forced into a spotlight. Although this is not a spotlight where anyone would wish to be, Michelle and her family are doing their best to cope with the situation and do whatever possible to help the healing process begin. I heard an adult say it the other day, and I will quote, "I want to be Michelle Berra when I grow up".

With support for Michelle and her family,
Pam Wilcox

To the Towns and community surrounding Berthoud,

When I watched the kids sing to an elderly crowd for the first time it brought tears to my eyes. As I followed the group to the homes and the hospitals, and saw the tears of joy that perfect strangers wept, as they sang to them, people that didn't have any familial connection with these kids, I knew this group was something special. They brought joy into the lives of these people, these people so removed from society by their immobility. This was joy being spread, to the community, from the high school, pure and simple.

And that year I began to learn about pure love, though it'd been a part of my life throughout, that's when I began to really learn about it. I learned that you can, and do, love other's kids as much as your own. And that it's alright to actually tell them so. I learned that you can't just love a little bit either. When you love, it's with the whole of your heart.

Then my daughter graduated, and I had no kid in the choir, but still I knew quite a few, and still I loved their shows. Their shows still occasionally brought me to tears. So I continued following the Berthoud High School Bridge-Between Show Choir. And soon I realized I loved these kids as much as I loved my own children. So I stayed in the loop. I kept following them around. I kept enjoying what they were doing completely and unabashedly, with the whole of my heart you might say. Their Christmas shows still define Christmas season for me. And I knew some of their parents. And I slowly met others. And I learned that I love them too. And the family that is the Berthoud High School Bridge-Between Show Choir seemed to accept me in as one of them and all was good.

That brings us to 2007 and it's been quite a year for all. And families that I know personally will attest that my heart and love remains pure. I want to help with the whole of my heart.

The young lady that was involved in the tragic accident on the night of Jan. 15, 2007 was in the BHS Bridge-Between Show Choir. Her name is Michelle Berra, as many already know. Michelle is a beautiful and talented young lady. And she is totally and completely a victim of circumstance. As is her family. Michelle and her family are as innocent of victims in this tragedy as are the families of every other person out there that night. And their plight has been overshadowed by the fame placed on the other victims that night. That fame being the focus because of the obviousness and extremity of their injuries. But the Berras' plight and injury is real and serious. And they've needed our help through this.

I don't know what I can do other than pledge my help to the family, in whatever way is asked of me, by the family. For Michelle, I've written her and told her that I believe in her. I believe she can get past this moment in her life. She can have whatever future she dreams of. Because she is such a beautiful and talented young lady, she can look forward to moving on and pursuing her dreams. But she needs whatever she thinks she needs right now, be it counseling or just being left alone, or getting hugged by perfect strangers that randomly come up to her to offer support. May the universe provide her with the guidance for her to know what she needs.

For Marina and Dave, they need to enjoy this moment they are in, even as they suffer through it. Aren't they alive and in good health, with a lovely daughter, who recently graduated from high school? May you not worry too much about what may or may not happen, or what has happened. May you find strength for the future, and realize the strength it has taken to get you to this point. And may that future get you past the pain and suffering you are going through right now.

I'm writing this on behalf of the Berra family. This accident has taught everyone a few things I am sure. Berthoud is a fine place to live, to be sure. The people of Berthoud have shown true character. People, by and large, seem to realize what a tragedy this has been for all concerned and are not placing blame on one side or the other. And they shouldn't. Charges already filed should be dropped, and no further charges should be filed. Everyone involved has suffered more than enough. Their memories should be enough penance, if penance is what the justice system seeks. Let these kids, these families, and this community move on.

I hope we can all look back on this year someday and realize what growth has been achieved, on community level. When someone is in need in this community, this community has risen to the occasion. I'm proud to live in Berthoud. I'm proud to know Michelle Berra and the Berra family. And I'm proud to know, and love, and follow faithfully, the Berthoud High School Bridge-Between Show Choir.

Sincerely,
D. Ross Bellows