WINDER, Ga. — Natalie Griffith found her groove at Apalachee High School, according to her father Doug.
He said she played the flute, was active in the marching band and had recently discovered a passion for algebra. That final point was thanks to a teacher who found a way to connect with Natalie on the subject.
"Natalie's never wanted to do homework, as a lot of kids don't, but she's been doing homework in this class. I think she must have an amazing teacher who inspired her to do homework," Doug Griffin told 11Alive Monday.
Algebra was the class Natalie was in when last Wednesday's shooting took place. Doug explained when he first heard there was a shooting on the campus of Natalie's high school, he was in disbelief. He explained Natalie's mother, Marilda Griffith, received multiple messages about a shooting at the school, but he was unsure if the information was true.
"It was just so new that nobody knew what happened," Doug said, recounting the harrowing moments after learning about the shooting. "You just want to hear that 'I'm OK, Dad,' but you don't hear that."
Not only was it true, Doug would later discover Natalie had been shot. He said he rushed to the hospital with his wife and arrived just in time to get a general idea of the extent of her injuries and pray with Natalie before she went into surgery.
Doug said Natalie was shot at least twice. It was her algebra teacher who helped shield her and other students from further injury.
"That's the one that's the most damage. The one shot kind of hit went through the upper arm. I think it was in and out, and it kind of went across her and then the other one was the wrist shot."
Natalie's mother, Marilda Griffith, has been documenting her daughter's recovery on Instagram, sharing photos of Natalie in her hospital bed. The family remains hopeful, though they acknowledge the road ahead will be long and costly.
An online fundraiser campaign has been set up by a family friend to help cover medical bills and rehabilitation costs. They aim to raise $60,000 to support Natalie's recovery.
Despite what he knows will be an arduous journey of healing, Doug says Natalie looks forward to returning to the school and the class that she loves.
"She wants to go back there, and she's not the slightest bit afraid," Doug said. "She really is strong-willed and determined to get through it."