(Chardon) - Chardon High School, where three students were gunned down one year ago, has marked the anniversary with hugs and messages of support.

A senior class leader at Chardon High School, Adam Benjamin, says students upset during Wednesday's anniversary could count on strong community support. Principal Andy Fetchik says he has plenty of hugs to share.

(Student Adam Benjamin and Principal Andy Fetchik. Photo by Colleen O'Neill/WTAM 1100)

They spoke before a daylong program of service activities to mark the killing of three students and wounding of three others on Feb. 27, 2012. Students arriving for classes passed a school sign with the names of victims.

The events started at 7:30am with a day of service at the high school. Students are making blankets for Project Linus, dog leashes for the therapy dogs that worked with students, baking for first responders, and writing letters to the victim's families.

(Photo by The News Herald/Caitlin Fertal)

Red ribbons put up throughout the city after the shooting will also be taken down to be made into wreaths for the families.

(Photo by The News Herald/Caitlin Fertal)

First responders from all over the area are in Chardon for a Memorial Walk to Chardon Square. Students and staff joined the first responders at 12:20pm.  Tonight, there's a candlelight vigil, memorial concert and release of lanterns on high school grounds.

The observances come one day after the gunman pleaded guilty in the deaths.

T.J. Lane, now 18, could get life in prison at sentencing March 19.

Tuesday night, members of the Chardon High School Choir and Band paid tribute to their classmates who were killed or wounded.

They gathered, along with hundreds of members of the community, in St. Mary Church in Chardon.

Some of the songs they performed were original works.  

 See more photos from the concert. Courtesy Pastor Photography, LLC

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