Community Corner

Buffalo Grove Teen Drowns At Summer Camp

Stevenson High School reports that Jacob Waxberg died Wednesday.

A Buffalo Grove boy died Wednesday night while swimming at Greenwoods Camp for Boys in Michigan.

reported Thursday that Jacob Waxberg, 15, who would have been a sophomore this fall at Stevenson High School, died Wednesday night. A school spokesman was unable to elaborate on the cause of his death.

The camp has not released or confirmed the name of the teen, who other sources have identified as Waxberg.

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Nearly 15 campers, monitored by lifeguards and camp counselors, were swimming to escape the heat when a 15-year-old boy appeared distressed before descending in 10-12 feet of water, camp director Dayna Hardin said in a prepared statement. Lifeguards on the scene responded immediately, she said.
 
The camp immediately called 911 and began lifesaving efforts, including CPR, and were joined by paramedics and first responders who arrived at the scene, Hardin said. The child was unconscious and unresponsive when taken by ambulance to the hospital, and could not be revived.
 
"Our immediate focus is on aiding the child’s family with this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the child’s parents, family and friends during this time. We extend our deepest sympathies to those within our camp community who have also been affected," Hardin said.

Waxberg's sisters, Michelle and Jamie, graduated from Stevenson in 2009 and 2010, respectively, the school said.

In a press release issued Thursday afternoon, Stevenson faculty members shared memories of Waxberg.

"Jacob was a sweet young man with a strong desire to succeed. He had a wonderful sense of humor that was often dry and witty but very comical and other students found it funny," said one of his teachers, Sarah Stolzenberg. "He was a hard-working student with a wonderful attitude. I was looking forward the most to having him as a senior when we could have reflected back on all of his growth through the years as I do with all my seniors. He will certainly be missed at the resource table, by his peers, and teachers."

Lindsay Perkins, Jacob’s counselor, also recalled his friendly and polite nature.

"The one thing that I really admired about Jacob was his inquisitive nature," she said. "He was a strong self advocate and wasn't afraid to ask questions pertaining to his education. Every time he came to my office he had a smile on his face; a genuinely good kid who will be deeply missed."

The school has implemented a student counseling plan, which provides students with an opportunity to talk about their thoughts and feelings with trained, professional staff. 

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Counselors will be available from 10 a.m. to noon Friday in the Principal’s Conference Room (Room 3046).

UPDATE: A service for Waxberg will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Memorial contributions can be made to Lincoln Park Zoo.


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