It was one of those picture-perfect summer afternoons that seemed to capture everything good about small-town life. The sky was bright, the grass shimmered in soft greens, and laughter filled the open air. Families gathered near the calm waters of Lake Bennett for the annual church picnic — tables full of homemade pies, children chasing each other barefoot, and adults chatting in clusters under the shade of tall oaks.
For Jennifer Matthews, a fifth-grade teacher known for her calm smile and love for her students, that day felt simple, ordinary — a chance to unwind after a busy week at school. She spread out a picnic blanket near the water’s edge, keeping a watchful eye on her daughter, Emma, who had just turned seven.
