Current:Home > StocksTeen drowns in lake just hours after graduating high school in Kansas: Reports -FinanceCore
Teen drowns in lake just hours after graduating high school in Kansas: Reports
View
Date:2025-04-14 12:27:12
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! (8)
Related
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- UFL Week 1 winners and losers: USFL gets bragging rights, Thicc-Six highlights weekend
- Lamar Odom Reveals Where He Stands With Rob Kardashian 7 Years After Khloe Kardashian Divorce
- Lamar Odom Reveals Where He Stands With Rob Kardashian 7 Years After Khloe Kardashian Divorce
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- A biased test kept thousands of Black people from getting a kidney transplant. It’s finally changing
- What kind of dog is Snoopy? Here's some history on Charlie Brown's canine companion.
- AT&T notifies users of data breach and resets millions of passcodes
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Gunmen in Ecuador kill 9, injure 10 others in attack in coastal city of Guayaquil as violence surges
Ranking
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Second-half surge powers No. 11 NC State to unlikely Final Four berth with defeat of Duke
- A woman, 19, is killed and 4 other people are wounded in a Chicago shooting early Sunday
- The 10 best 'Jolene' covers from Beyoncé's new song to the White Stripes and Miley Cyrus
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- South Korea's birth rate is so low, one company offers staff a $75,000 incentive to have children
- Oklahoma highway reopens following shutdown after a barge hit a bridge
- Untangling Everything Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright Have Said About Their Breakup
Recommendation
Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
Trump’s immigration rhetoric makes inroads with some Democrats. That could be a concern for Biden
LA Times updates controversial column after claims of blatant sexism by LSU's Kim Mulkey
Krispy Kreme has free doughnuts and discount deals for Easter, April Fools' Day
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Oklahoma highway reopens following shutdown after a barge hit a bridge
What kind of dog is Snoopy? Here's some history on Charlie Brown's canine companion.
Roll Tide: Alabama books first March Madness trip to Final Four with defeat of Clemson