Inspirational visit from fire survivors

Newton — Shawn Simons and Alvaro Llanos came to Kittatinny Regional High School recently to share their story of perseverance. In 2000, Shawn and Alvaro were freshman roommates at Seton Hall University. On January 19 of that year, the dorm was set on fire in what was supposed to be a prank. 58 students were injured. Shawn was burned over 16 percent of his body and Alvaro was burned over 60 percent. Three students also lost their lives that day: Aaron Karol; Frank Caltabilota; and John Giunta.
Shawn and Alvaro were taken to Saint Barnabas Medical Center’s burn unit. Alvaro spent three months in coma, 5 years in physical and occupational therapy, and had 30 surgeries. They both endured painful procedures, had to mentally cope with their disfigurement, and process why this had happened.
This horrific occurrence prompted New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky to mandate sprinklers in the dorms. The other states do not have these regulations. The problem has not gone away. There have been other dorm fires since 2000. If you google the Cleary Safety Report with your college/university name, it will give you a whole report on fire safety at your school by dorm.
The two students who started the fire were only given a 5-year sentence in a juvenile detention facility of which they served about half their sentences.
These two survivors, college roommates, and best friends are now bound together for life, helping one another through each step of the recovery process. Together they travel to various colleges, universities, and high schools to share their stories and to remind students of fire safety whether it be a dorm, your home, or your first apartment. They also return to Saint Barnabas burn unit to speak to other survivors and give patients hope for their future.
Shawn Simons received his degree in Business Management from Seton Hall in 2004. Álvaro Llanos is working to complete his degree in communications. Álvaro is now married and has a beautiful little girl. Shawn is engaged to be married.
Together these two friends have been through thick and thin. They serve as an inspiration to us all about the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity. “Friends, family, and faith” helped them through the darkest days and were the guiding lights leading them back better and stronger than before. Though we may not always understand why something happens to us, when you come out the other side you will learn so much about yourself and your inner resolve.
For additional information go to: www.alvaroandshawn.com.
Shawn and Alvaro are trying to get 20, 000 Instagram followers. If you would like to help them reach that goal go to: @alvaroandshawn