Glenbard North mourns 19-year-old cheerleader killed in Bloomington shooting
Community members tied ribbons outside the school on Wednesday ahead of a visitation for Giana Dettloff, who died while visiting a friend in Illinois.
By Anthony Lawson ·
Giana Dettloff, a 19-year-old graduate of Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream, was shot and killed during a Halloween house party in Bloomington last weekend. She was visiting a friend at Illinois Wesleyan University at the time of the incident. Eight other people were wounded in the shooting. One of the injured is another Glenbard North alumnus whose name has not been released.
Dettloff was a freshman at North Central College and an active member of the high school cheerleading program. Friends described her as energetic and noted that she continued to support younger students at Glenbard North even after her graduation. The community gathered outside the school on Wednesday to honor her memory and support her family before a scheduled visitation.
Carol Stream Mayor Frank Saverino attended the gathering with his wife, Debbie Saverino. The couple stated that they have known the Dettloff family for many years and noted the family's deep ties to the city. Saverino pointed to the number of young people present at the event as a testament to Dettloff's impact on her peers.
Debbie Saverino expressed the difficulty of the situation for those involved. "It's going to be very tough, very tough for everyone involved to say goodbye to Giana. She didn't deserve this, and here we are," she said. She advised those present to hold onto their loved ones, stating, "Tomorrow's not promised. You gotta hug your kids extra hard."
Frank Saverino praised Dettloff's character and her commitment to her school. "This young lady not only went through the high school but come back and helped younger kids through the cheer. She's a phenomenal person," he said. He added, "We have a family like this, and the testimonial is look at all the young people that are here."
Friends and residents embraced and prayed before tying pink ribbons on trees in Dettloff's memory. The gathering served as a moment of reflection for the community as they prepare for the formal visitation. The event highlighted the close bonds Dettloff maintained with her school and neighbors.
A public visitation is scheduled for Thursday evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The service is being held at Glenbard North High School to accommodate the expected large number of attendees. The school grounds will serve as the central location for the community to bid farewell to Dettloff.
