Published: May 19, 2008 08:11 pm            

Memorial set for Casey student

By JEREMY HALL

jeremy.hall@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Classes at Casey Middle School are tentatively canceled for Friday so students may attend a public visitation for a fallen classmate.

District 80 Superintendent Dr. Kevin Settle said he will ask the District 80 Board of Education today to consider allowing a public visitation for Javon Howard, who drowned while at a graduation party at the Rend Lake College Aquatics Center last week.

The District 80 board is to meet at 6:30 p.m. today at the district headquarters.

Settle said the visitation is tentatively planned for 10 a.m. to noon Friday, with the funeral to follow. The superintendent said the idea is to allow “a day set aside for Javon and then move forward with the graduation.”

Additionally, Settle said, a memorial fund has been set up for Howard's family at the First State Bank of Dix.

“We're asking those who would like to contribute with the expenses for the Howard family to contact the bank,” Settle said.

According to RLC officials, Howard was elbowed in the head Friday and checked by a lifeguard before being allowed to re-enter the water.

Once back in the water, the student went under before being retrieved and given CPR. He was transported to Crossroads Community Hospital in Mt. Vernon, where he was pronounced dead.

While Jefferson County Coroner Dr. Richard Garretson has not returned a phone call to the Register-News, a press release issued by Jefferson County Sheriff Roger Mulch indicated drowning as the preliminary cause of death.

Settle said Illinois State Police continue to investigate the incident, and surveillance cameras located within the aquatics center will help assist in the investigation.

Settle added that Howard's death has hit Casey and District 80 hard.

“He was a very likable young man,” Settle said.

        

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