PINECREST, Fla. (WSVN) – Students, teachers and staff members at Westminster Christian School are starting their first day back from break with heavy hearts following the death of a promising student.
Eighteen-year-old Lucas Alvarez was among four teens on a boat in the Bowlegs Cut area of Islamorada on Sunday.
The 24-foot vessel hit a channel marker at around 3:45 p.m., sending Alvarez and two other passengers flying out of the boat.
Alvarez died at the scene.
He was a senior at the Palmetto Bay school, and now as students return to class on Wednesday, they continue to mourn the loss of their classmate.
“You just have to think about the family and everything that long night must have been for them,” said former student Ransom Reed. “He seems like such a good, friendly guy who was always very lively and happy and made everyone’s life just a little bit better. All of his friends, their whole world is shattered right now, so I mean this community, the best thing they can do is come together and show their support for everyone that’s hurting right now.”
Alvarez was captain of the school’s lacrosse team and described by others as a funny and caring man.
His girlfriend also took to social media and posted a video of them watching the sunset together on Instagram.
“I think the intention now is probably just to celebrate the time we did have with him and really just appreciate the moments and the time that they had with him, even if it was short,” said Reed.
School officials have postponed all lacrosse games this week in Alvarez’s honor.
Grief counselors are on campus and available to school community members.
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