INDIANAPOLIS -
A standout football player celebrating a state championship with his teammates drowned over the weekend. It was a special outing at a place called Hidden Paradise. It would prove to be anything but paradise - and was without doubt a tragedy that Harshman Middle School now finds itself coping with.
School is coming to an end at Harshman Middle School. Many of the students took the time on the second to last day of the year to write on the gymnasium wall, sharing their memories not of the year but of a friend.
Fourteen-year-old Dujuan Thompson had a lot going for him. He's described as a great student, great athlete and a great person. "How special of a soul," one student penned, "to be taken so soon."
"Just remember him, honor him. It's a sad situation for him but not only will we grieve a little but for him we are going to celebrate him also," said Craig Chambers, Harshman football coach.
Dujuan was number 15 on the field. He had three touchdowns in the City Championship game, but he was a solid three-sport athlete, including football, basketball and track. Dujuan was remembered at a morning convocation as one who embodied the ability to strive, drive and thrive.
It was that attitude no doubt that emboldened him to dart away from the group while they were still checking into Hidden Paradise limestone quarry in Decatur County.
"Several people yelled to stop, stop, stop. He yelled out, 'I can swim,' and he got into the water and for some reason started struggling. Three people jumped in after him," said an emergency responder at the scene Sunday.
"Probably thought it was no big deal. Just like his mom expressed this morning, it was just his time to go. There is a lesson for all of us to learn from this in that as you continue to move forward in life that your time will run out. You have to take care of your family, tell your Mom and Dad you love them now. Wrap your arms around your friends now. You don't know when your time is coming," said Dr. Ramon Betts, Harshman Middle School.
It is a lesson Harshman has had to endure before and everyone here hopes the school will not have to relearn it again.
Friends paid tribute to Dujuan.
Dujuan was a solid three-sport athlete, including football, basketball and track.
Dujuan was a confident swimmer, but something went wrong at Hidden Paradise.
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