A Kansas high school student drowned Saturday hours after receiving his diploma, authorities in Labette County said.
Alonzo Juan Juan, 17, died while celebrating his graduation with friends at the county’s Big Hill Lake.
A rescue team recovered his body later in the evening. A GoFundMe page was set up to help transport the Field Kindley High School graduate to his native Guatemala.
Coffeyville Public Schools officials noted how the late teen entered middle school speaking only his native Mayan language touting him as a “hardworking student.”
“It was a huge shock to us and our community,” said Lisa Stockton, the ESL learning program director.
“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.”
