A soccer game was preparing to start Friday afternoon at Anzar
High School, but the school was silent. The school’s students,
teacher and administration were still trying to clear their heads
from the morning’s news that one of their own passed away the prior
night.
A soccer game was preparing to start Friday afternoon at Anzar High School, but the school was silent.
The school’s students, teacher and administration were still trying to clear their heads from the morning’s news that one of their own passed away the prior night.
Jose Mario Serrano, a 17-year-old senior and four-year Anzar student, was killed in a single-vehicle rollover accident on Salinas Road at 6 p.m. Thursday. Serrano was the Toyota Tundra pickup’s driver. Another 14-year-old student sustained moderate injuries.
“We have a soccer game soon, and the other team has no idea what they walked into,” Principal Charlene McKowen said.
The administration building at the school was filled with signs dedicated to Serrano, including two giant banners that were signed by students.
It included such statements as “You will always be remembered” and “Rest in peace my friend, I love you.”
To help with their emotions, students were allowed to spend some of the day in the library reminiscing about Serrano, McKowen said. More than 100 students participated, and another 30 or so did the same in the afternoon. The school’s student population is 460.
“Everyone is in shock, just shock,” she said.
After school, some students remained stunned by the news.
“I couldn’t believe it,” junior Nick Salgado said. “I was crying during all three periods. I just wish he wasn’t gone.”
Sophomore Carlos Martinez called Serrano a great guy who everybody loved.
“He was just a great, great guy,” Martinez said. “He was friends with everybody.”
Martinez said school Friday was tough for everybody.
“It was a pretty sad day,” he said. “Everyone was crying – it was sad.”
At the site of the accident, two wooden crosses are placed into the ground. Tied together by bungee cords, the crosses sit near a torn piece of grass off the roadway. And candles surround the crosses.
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FUNDRAISING
Serrano’s family is raising money for his funeral. Donations can be sent to Bank of America account number 0012240178. For 10 a.m. Saturday, the family has organized a carwash at San Juan School.
