Updated with comment from State College Area Superintendent Bob O’Donnell.
A junior foreign exchange student at State College Area High School accidentally drowned off the coast of North Carolina on Tuesday, the school district has confirmed.
Sirawich “Jo” Chanthaburanan, 17, a Rotary Youth Exchange student from Thailand, was visiting Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Frisco, N.C. According to the WITN in North Carolina, at about 1 p.m. on Tuesday he went out into the ocean to help another swimmer. The other swimmer returned to shore, but Chanthaburanan did not. Authorities said his boogie board washed up on shore at Frisco Beach.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Hatteras Island Rescue searched for Chanthaburanan with two boats and a helicopter. The Coast Guard found his body on Wednesday.
His family in Thailand and host families in State College have been notified, a district spokesman said. Faculty, students and parents were informed on Wednesday and the school has arranged for additional counselors.
‘We have been in contact with the host families and share in their loss,’ said Jeanne Knouse, director of student services. ‘There is no way to prepare for such a tragedy, and saying goodbye to a child, a student, a friend and/or a classmate is a very sad and hard thing to do. As a district, we express our deepest condolences to Jo’s family in Thailand and his host families. We will continue to provide counseling at the high school and support to anyone who having difficulty coping with this tragedy.’
State College Area School District Superintendent said in a statement that he and the school community were shocked and saddened to learn of Chanthaburanan’s death.
‘Because Jo spent the entire year as an active State High student, he developed close relationships with both classmates and teachers,’ O’Donnell said. ‘Our heavy hearts go out to his loved ones and friends struggling with their pain and loss, and we wish them the strength and courage to carry on without a young man suddenly taken from them.
‘As a school community, we’ve shared the information with our students, faculty and parents. Our focus has included the work of our student services professionals to support our students and faculty through this difficult time.’
O’Donnell said any parents or students with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the high school counseling office.
