Current:Home > MarketsTeen drowns in lake just hours after graduating high school in Kansas: Reports -WealthEngine
Teen drowns in lake just hours after graduating high school in Kansas: Reports
View
Date:2025-04-15 18:06:01
A high school senior in Coffeyville, Kansas died from drowning just hours after graduating, according to reports.
Donations are pouring in for the family of the 17-year-old. According to a GoFundMe page, the funds will be used for funeral, medical, and other expenses for Alonzo Juan Juan's family. It also aims to help with the costs of transporting him to his family in Guatemala, where he is from.
Juan, a student at Field Kindley High School, drowned in Labette County's Big Hill Lake on Saturday, May 18, while with his friends celebrating obtaining his high school diploma, per the GoFundMe and local outlet KJRH. His body was recovered by a rescue team that evening.
"Many of us, like family, friends, [and] coworkers are deeply hurt with the news we received," the fundraiser said.
USA TODAY reached out to Field Kindley High School for additional comment.
Tragic drownings:2 teens die in suspected drownings after accepting dare, jumping off bridge into lake
School officials describe him as 'hardworking'
Coffeyville Public Schools confirmed Juan's passing with KJRH. School administrators reflected on his journey, specifically how he entered the district in middle school knowing only his native Mayan language.
During an interview with the outlet, Lisa Stockton, the district's ESL learning program director, touted the teen as a "hardworking student."
"It was a huge shock to us and our community, "Stockton said, adding, "He was very involved with the other students. It just proves that hard work and dedication and having goals is worthwhile. You can work towards those and meet them. He was a perfect example of that."
A former high school teacher, Shayla Reliford, told the news station that Juan had aspirations to become a doctor.
Tragic drowings:3 young men drown in Florida's Caloosahatchee River while trying to save someone else
School schedules vigil in the teen's honor
Field Kindley High School acknowledged Juan's passing in a Facebook post that included information about a candlelight vigil in his honor to be held on Thursday.
So far, the GoFundMe has raised over $5,600 of a $27,000 goal.
"He was born August 21, 2006 and he was loved by so many and touched lots of hearts with his kindness and sweet words. This isn’t goodbye it’s see you later," the fundraiser continued.
veryGood! (72)
Related
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Pennsylvania inmate captured over a week after making his escape
- Inside Clean Energy: Biden’s Oil Industry Comments Were Not a Political Misstep
- Who is Fran Drescher? What to know about the SAG-AFTRA president and sitcom star
- 'Most Whopper
- Was 2020 The Year That EVs Hit it Big? Almost, But Not Quite
- With the World Focused on Reducing Methane Emissions, Even Texas Signals a Crackdown on ‘Flaring’
- This group gets left-leaning policies passed in red states. How? Ballot measures
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- How (and why) Gov. Ron DeSantis took control over Disney World's special district
Ranking
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Warming Trends: Elon Musk Haggles Over Hunger, How Warming Makes Birds Smaller and Wings Longer, and Better Glitter From Nanoparticles
- In a Stark Letter, and In Person, Researchers Urge World Leaders at COP26 to Finally Act on Science
- Wealthy Nations Continue to Finance Natural Gas for Developing Countries, Putting Climate Goals at Risk
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Indigenous Leaders and Human Rights Groups in Brazil Want Bolsonaro Prosecuted for Crimes Against Humanity
- Incursions Into Indigenous Lands Not Only Threaten Tribal Food Systems, But the Planet’s Well-Being
- Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $250 Crossbody Bag for Just $79
Recommendation
What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
The maker of Enfamil recalls 145,000 cans of infant formula over bacteria risks
Alyson Stoner Says They Were Fired from Children’s Show After Coming Out as Queer
Inside Titanic Sub Tragedy Victims Shahzada and Suleman Dawood's Father-Son Bond
Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
From Denial to Ambiguity: A New Study Charts the Trajectory of ExxonMobil’s Climate Messaging
Pollinator-Friendly Solar Could be a Win-Win for Climate and Landowners, but Greenwashing is a Worry
CBOhhhh, that's what they do