Principal Dr. Lisa Gruman informed the school near the end of third hour Friday that sophomore Ovet Gomez Regalado passed away. Teachers were instructed over the intercom at around 10:40 a.m. to share with students a sensitive email regarding the death of Gomez Regalado.

On August 15, a different email from Guman was shared with staff about a football player who needed “emergency medical attention” the evening before. The football player was hospitalized and receiving medical treatment. 

“It is important to understand that there will be many details that we do not know,” Gruman wrote to parents. “Your child will hear many different things, but please encourage them not to make guesses and spread rumors. The family will need privacy as they struggle to handle their grief, and the administration is asking everyone to respect that privacy.”

Gruman said in her email that death is always difficult to handle, especially of someone so young, and that it will be important for everyone to process what’s happened and express those feelings. 

Gomez Regalado is the fourth student at Northwest to pass away within 14 months. Students and teachers were visibly shaken at the news, and some were in tears. Shawnee Mission School District officials were seen in the halls offering their support. 

“Again, there are many questions that we cannot answer, but we can be here to support each other during this difficult time,” Gruman wrote. “Ovet was such a warm and wonderful student that touched the hearts of so many in our community.”

School and district officials are available to offer counseling and any additional help. Students may visit the main office from 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., no appointment needed, if they wish to talk with a social worker or counselor. If they would like to talk to someone outside of those hours, the 988 National Hotline for management of mental health and crisis situations is available 24 hours.