Lincoln High School Student Government members are helping plan a candlelight vigil in memory of a classmate who died in a house fire.
The gathering to remember Jayden Robinson, 16, will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23.
The vigil will be in Lincoln Middle/High School’s cafeteria, 205 E. Parkway Drive, Cambridge City, and it’s open to the public.
Those attending can enter through the cafeteria doors on the building’s north side next to the football press box.
Teacher Brandon Pennington, who advises the student leaders, also knew Robinson personally as a student in his world history class.
“He was a very nice student who loved learning and reading,” Pennington said. “He spent a lot of time in the library, maybe more than any student we have. He was constantly engaged with class material and discussions. He was a great kid and will be missed.”
Western Wayne Elementary School teacher Tracy Vogelgesang also recalls Jayden’s creativity and sense of humor when he attended that school. She said he loved tractors and would bring a backpack full of them to play with at recess.
After the sophomore’s death, students decorated his locker and left notes for him.
LHS Student Government is accepting donations for flowers at the vigil. The students also plan to memorialize Robinson with a tree planting and a plaque. Contributions for those tributes can be sent to the school as well.
The home fire that killed Jayden and his stepmom Shannon (48) and dad Billy Robinson (46), occurred in the early morning hours of Jan. 24. It was in the 18000 block of Frank Myers Road in Cambridge City.
Wayne County Coroner’s Office announced the Robinsons’ names Feb. 6 after their identities had been confirmed, calling their deaths a tragic accident.
Jeff Gabbard, Cambridge City Volunteer Fire Department chief, said the fire’s cause remained undetermined as of Feb. 14, but they found no indication of any crime being committed. Because of the fire’s extent, investigators couldn’t tell if the home had smoke detectors or any way of detecting the fire early, Gabbard said. CCVFD offers free detectors by calling 765-541-0964.
LMHS and Centerstone have offered grief counseling for all students and staff, Pennington said.
A version of this article appeared in the February 18 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.