WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - It's now been over two years since Charlene Zorn lost her stepson, Solomon Wynn.
Since, Zorn has committed herself to honoring her stepson. She's pushed for state legislators to pass "Solly's Law" - or House Bill 430 - which would raise the minimum purchasing age for tobacco in North Carolina from 18 to 21 years old. North Carolina is currently one of eight states that doesn't have a minimum purchasing age of 21, according to the CDC.
The legislation would also implement a permitting system for tobacco sales, require retailers to have signage and allow for more investigations into retail locations, among other changes.
"I'm not gonna sit down. I'm not gonna be the mom that says, 'I'm giving up,'" she said. "I'm gonna be the mom that says, 'my son's memory will not be forgotten."
The bill was filed in the state legislature in March, but hasn't made significant progress since.
During their agenda review meeting on Monday, the New Hanover County School Board discussed and voted on a resolution in support of Solly's Law. The resolution failed on a 4-3 vote.
"I was heartbroken," Zorn said.
Tim Merrick, who introduced the resolution, said he was touched by Solomon's story. He also has heard from teachers concerned about students vaping at school, especially in bathrooms.
"The nightmare that every parent has is the one that Mrs. Zorn is living through right now," he said. "...It does matter. New Hanover County lost one of its own."
School board members offered various responses for why they didn't support the resolution.
David Perry said he doesn't agree with raising the minimum age, since 18 year olds are already considered adults and can make their own decisions. Josie Barnhart said the legislation is outside the board's scope, and raising the minimum age doesn't address concerns of illegally selling tobacco products to minors. Pat Bradford criticized the board for spending most of Monday's meeting debating various resolutions, and said she'd rather focus the majority of time on "advancing student achievements."
Merrick said he plans on discussing the legislation with Wilmington City Council, New Hanover County Commissioners and The Endowment despite the resolution failing.
Zorn, meanwhile, said she's committed to seeing the legislation to the finish line. She's spending this week in meetings around the state, discussing why she feels the bill is important.
"It's not if," she said, "it's when we get it passed."
On Friday, New Hanover High School's football team took the field at Legion Stadium for the first time this season. It would've been Solomon's senior year, and Zorn is confident he would've been on the field with his teammates.
Instead, she's holding on to her memories with him, and trying to honor his legacy through the legislation.