In a community that has had its strength tested over the past two years, a group of gym members set out Monday to prove Marysville is as strong as ever.
They're people like Nevese Robinson, who will never forget October 24, 2014.
"It was like a real nightmare happening, and you can't do anything about it. It was terrifying," she said.
On that day, a distraught student walked into the cafeteria at Marysville-Pilchuck High School and opened fire, killing four classmates and then himself.
On Monday, the two year anniversary of the shootings, Robinson and everyone at Crossfit Marysville went through an especially grueling workout called the Pilchuck. The mother of victim Zoe Galasso was a coach at the gym. The workout was a way for people to endure some physical pain in sympathy with those who are still struggling with unimaginable emotional pain.
"I think about the moms who are missing their kids. I think about their siblings who are trying to live normal lives without them, and I think about ways we can be there to help each other," said Robinson.
Shortly after the shootings, Crossfit Marysville raised $50,000 for the families of those killed. Now, the gym is trying to raise $5,000 to renovate the MPHS weight room.
"I know that place hasn't been upgraded since I went to school there, and that was 12 years ago," said gym co-owner Ryan Swobody.
Swobody is also a Marysville firefighter who has seen that many in his community, especially the students, are still suffering.
He believes a strong body promotes emotional health.
More than that, though, he wants everyone at MPHS to know they're not forgotten.
"As firefighters, we still see people who are struggling mentally and emotionally with these things," said Swobody. "Just two years later, it's like they've been forgotten a bit. We don't want that to happen. We want them to be remembered, we want them to get help, and we want to provide the tools to help them if we can."
The fundraiser is called Muscles for Marysville. If you'd like to donate, you can give on the group’s YouCaring page.
