Perry Schools announced that a senior student died over the weekend, and students and staff continue to honor her memory. 

The Perry Schools announced Saturday that senior Melanie Gonzalez died in a drowning accident. This comes shortly before graduation and Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger says the school has plans to honor her at graduation this Sunday by having a chair with her cap and gown, diploma, and to honor her, which Marburger says students felt was important.

“It was very important. That was probably the number one thing (for) kids that came in and got some extra help today, or seniors, who of course are gone but some of them came back to talk to our counselors and get those feelings of grief out. They really wanted to know, ‘hey what’re we doing? What can we do?’ So, yeah everybody’s kind of searching for a way to honor Melanie.”

Marburger tells Raccoon Valley Radio students are also painting the rock on the northwest corner of the school parking lot. Marburger says there has also been an outpouring of support from neighboring schools including asking if Perry needs additional counselors. Marburger says there will be a special moment at a soccer game tomorrow. 

“The soccer team from Atlantic is going to give our girls some flowers and they are going to do a moment of silence up there.”

Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.