Dos Pueblos High School mourn the sacrifices

The grief at the DOS Pueblos High School is calm but undeniable.

Three students: 18-year-old Jake Curtis, 17-year-old Michael Ochsner and 15-year-old Alexander Wood Wurden late Sunday evening killed in a crash with several vehicles on Highway 1 south of Lompoc. All three were loved by classmates, active in school athletics and had completed a junior rescue swimmer training in Jalama Beach just a few hours before the crash.

The California Highway Patrol says that the cause of the crash is still being examined. But the weight of the loss can be felt in the classrooms and corridors of the DOS Pueblos High School.

“It's just very tragic,” said Seth Phillips, a senior who shared courses with Curtis. “He always smiled – like a shimmer of light light in the life of everyone. I have the feeling that there should be a celebration of life for him. He definitely had an impact on every senior, at least with a name or face.”

Jake Curtis was a senior, just a few weeks away from the end. His classmates have now dealt with the absence of a friend who should have walked with them about the final phase.

“I think we should remember him at the end,” said Senior Holden Dicogno, who knew both Curtis and Ochsner. “Keep a part of it, see him as someone who did it.”

Curtis was a member of the university swimming team. Ochsner headed Junior Varsity Track and Cross Country. Wood played junior -Uni -waterball. All three also took part in the district's junior rescue float program – proof of their sportiness, discipline and love for water.

“He was a solid guy,” said Dicogno. “Michael was great [track] Team colleague, always supportive. Jake, always happy. Always had a smile. “

Lucas Nora, another senior, says that the loss in several grades is deeply felt.

“It really feels like there is a hole. It is difficult for everyone to process that this has really happened,” said Nora. “It is not only sadness. It is also that your friends are so sad. It's everywhere at the moment.”

The Santa Barbara Unified School District acted quickly and opened a compassion center on the campus with the support of the district of Rapid Response Network. Mourning consultants were provided by students and employees from Monday morning.

“When I visited the campus in the afternoon, it was very quiet,” said superintendent Hilda Maldonado. “This is not typical of a high school. The feeling was dark everywhere.”

According to Maldonado, all three students were deeply involved in the school community, and there are already plans for the conclusion of the conclusion to ensure that Curtis is reminiscent of.

“The school received support from support from neighboring districts and parishioners,” added Maldonado. “It only speaks for the power of this community. How we come together in moments of deep tragedy.”

While the school continues the final exams and final preparations, friends of the victims say that the best way to honor them is more like living like them: joyful, open and friendly.

“Spend time with those who are important to you,” said Nora. “There is no reason to show no love. Life is too short for anything else.”