Teen cheerleader dies after getting sick before competition - New York Post

February 25, 2019 at 10:03PM

A 13-year-old cheerleader at a Kentucky middle school died suddenly after getting sick just before a competition on Saturday, district officials said.

Lilliana Schalck, an eighth-grader at Highlands Middle School in Fort Thomas, died at a hospital after becoming ill as she prepared to compete at an event in Columbus, Ohio, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

Kevin Nieporte, the school's athletic director, said Lilliana's health quickly deteriorated once at the hospital, but it wasn't immediately clear what caused her death, according to the newspaper.

"One of our most talented cheerleaders," Nieporte said of the teen, adding that she competed with the high school's varsity athletes despite being in eighth grade. "She was the nicest."

Fort Thomas Independent Schools Superintendent Karen Cheser notified parents of Lilliana's death in a tweet on Sunday.

"It is with such sadness that I inform you that we have lost an eighth-grade student," Cheser wrote. "She is beloved by so many and we know our students will need help through the grieving process."

Counselors will be available to grieving students throughout the week, Cheser said.

Lilliana was attending a competition on Saturday with other teammates from Premier Athletics of Northern Kentucky, which trains cheerleading, dance and gymnastics teams, according to its website.

"Our hearts are completely broken for the Schalk family," the facility wrote on its Facebook page.

Lilliana SchalckAllen Ramsey

Hundreds of mourners held a private vigil at Highland Middle School on Sunday to honor Lilliana's life, with varsity cheerleaders dropping blue spider mums at the base of a photograph of Schalck in her uniform, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

"One of our sayings here is caring for yourself, each other and this place," Principal Michael Howton told the crowd. "It's really a time to put your arm around somebody and show some support and just provide that shoulder to lean on if needed."

Howton said Lillian's death has rocked the tight-knit community.

"I think we're all processing it," Principal Michael Howton told WCPO. "Even adults struggle with how to feel and how to react to it, so it's a one day at a time approach."

Howton said it's important for youngsters to realize that the grieving process is entirely natural.

"I think that's the message we want to send kids," he continued. "It's alright to have that moment of sadness and recognize that you miss your friend, you miss this person that was in our halls every day."

Howton told WKRC that Schalck was interested in journalism and frequently wrote about sports. She was also often the first athlete to arrive at cheerleading practice – and quick to greet teammates, he said.

"She said they didn't know what they are going to do now that she won't be there," Howton said, recalling what another student told him. "My suggestion is do what she did, be that first person there and show that support to others."

Howton continued: "This is one of those times where we say, 'Look to your left and right and put your hand and arm around that person and give them support over these few days, next few weeks because that's the way we are going to heal and move forward."