Photo: FacebookLazar LaPenna, a fourth-grade student with Long Beach Public Schools in New York, died Friday during a baseball game, the district announced.Lazar “passed away suddenly” at the game, Dr. Jennifer Gallagher, the district’s Superintendent of Schools, said in a letter posted onsocial media.“It is with deep regret that we inform you about a tragedy in our school community,” Gallagher wrote. “Yesterday, Lazar LaPenna, one of our fourth-grade students at East School, passed away suddenly at a baseball game. I know that the extended La Penna family is well-known in our community and that many of you have likely already heard about this terrible loss.““This tragedy is sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for students and staff, particularly for those who are close to this family,” she explained, adding that the district had made a crisis intervention team available for students, parents and school personnel.While the district did not reveal Lazar’s cause of the death, atributeposted to him on May 2 asked members of the community to wear purple for epilepsy.In an interview withWABC, Lazar’s father, Gregg LaPenna, said his son had been diagnosed with epilepsy — which causes seizures — several years ago.Gregg, who is also the coach of Lazar’s Little League team, said his son celebrated his 10th birthday the day before the incident. Heartbreakingly, he told the outlet, presents are still arriving in the mail for Lazar.During the game the next day, Gregg said his son had made it to first base when he experienced a seizure episode.“The last moment I saw was him standing on first, and he turned to me with a smile,” he told WABC. “I looked at my scorebook to mark down the hit, and I heard his brother said, ‘Lazar’s having a seizure,’ and I look down, he’s laying down on first base. When I saw his face, I knew it wasn’t another normal seizure.“Lazar’s brother, Gerry, added: “He was a really good kid. He loved everything he did.“While speaking toNewsday, Gregg called his son a “deep soul,” and added, “he knew his life was limited, but he always spoke about the future — he was a special kid.“RELATED VIDEO: Dad Warns Parents After Son, 12, Dies from ‘Blackout Challenge’: ‘Check Out’ Your Kids' PhonesThe New York Mets left three bats outside of their clubhouse in tribute to Lazar this week.“We send our love and support to his family and teammates in the Long Beach/Lido Little League,” the team wrote onsocial mediaWednesday.
Photo: Facebook
Lazar LaPenna, a fourth-grade student with Long Beach Public Schools in New York, died Friday during a baseball game, the district announced.Lazar “passed away suddenly” at the game, Dr. Jennifer Gallagher, the district’s Superintendent of Schools, said in a letter posted onsocial media.“It is with deep regret that we inform you about a tragedy in our school community,” Gallagher wrote. “Yesterday, Lazar LaPenna, one of our fourth-grade students at East School, passed away suddenly at a baseball game. I know that the extended La Penna family is well-known in our community and that many of you have likely already heard about this terrible loss.““This tragedy is sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for students and staff, particularly for those who are close to this family,” she explained, adding that the district had made a crisis intervention team available for students, parents and school personnel.While the district did not reveal Lazar’s cause of the death, atributeposted to him on May 2 asked members of the community to wear purple for epilepsy.In an interview withWABC, Lazar’s father, Gregg LaPenna, said his son had been diagnosed with epilepsy — which causes seizures — several years ago.Gregg, who is also the coach of Lazar’s Little League team, said his son celebrated his 10th birthday the day before the incident. Heartbreakingly, he told the outlet, presents are still arriving in the mail for Lazar.During the game the next day, Gregg said his son had made it to first base when he experienced a seizure episode.“The last moment I saw was him standing on first, and he turned to me with a smile,” he told WABC. “I looked at my scorebook to mark down the hit, and I heard his brother said, ‘Lazar’s having a seizure,’ and I look down, he’s laying down on first base. When I saw his face, I knew it wasn’t another normal seizure.“Lazar’s brother, Gerry, added: “He was a really good kid. He loved everything he did.“While speaking toNewsday, Gregg called his son a “deep soul,” and added, “he knew his life was limited, but he always spoke about the future — he was a special kid.“RELATED VIDEO: Dad Warns Parents After Son, 12, Dies from ‘Blackout Challenge’: ‘Check Out’ Your Kids' PhonesThe New York Mets left three bats outside of their clubhouse in tribute to Lazar this week.“We send our love and support to his family and teammates in the Long Beach/Lido Little League,” the team wrote onsocial mediaWednesday.
Lazar LaPenna, a fourth-grade student with Long Beach Public Schools in New York, died Friday during a baseball game, the district announced.
Lazar “passed away suddenly” at the game, Dr. Jennifer Gallagher, the district’s Superintendent of Schools, said in a letter posted onsocial media.
“It is with deep regret that we inform you about a tragedy in our school community,” Gallagher wrote. “Yesterday, Lazar LaPenna, one of our fourth-grade students at East School, passed away suddenly at a baseball game. I know that the extended La Penna family is well-known in our community and that many of you have likely already heard about this terrible loss.”
“This tragedy is sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for students and staff, particularly for those who are close to this family,” she explained, adding that the district had made a crisis intervention team available for students, parents and school personnel.
While the district did not reveal Lazar’s cause of the death, atributeposted to him on May 2 asked members of the community to wear purple for epilepsy.
In an interview withWABC, Lazar’s father, Gregg LaPenna, said his son had been diagnosed with epilepsy — which causes seizures — several years ago.
Gregg, who is also the coach of Lazar’s Little League team, said his son celebrated his 10th birthday the day before the incident. Heartbreakingly, he told the outlet, presents are still arriving in the mail for Lazar.
During the game the next day, Gregg said his son had made it to first base when he experienced a seizure episode.
“The last moment I saw was him standing on first, and he turned to me with a smile,” he told WABC. “I looked at my scorebook to mark down the hit, and I heard his brother said, ‘Lazar’s having a seizure,’ and I look down, he’s laying down on first base. When I saw his face, I knew it wasn’t another normal seizure.”
Lazar’s brother, Gerry, added: “He was a really good kid. He loved everything he did.”
While speaking toNewsday, Gregg called his son a “deep soul,” and added, “he knew his life was limited, but he always spoke about the future — he was a special kid.”
RELATED VIDEO: Dad Warns Parents After Son, 12, Dies from ‘Blackout Challenge’: ‘Check Out’ Your Kids' Phones
The New York Mets left three bats outside of their clubhouse in tribute to Lazar this week.
“We send our love and support to his family and teammates in the Long Beach/Lido Little League,” the team wrote onsocial mediaWednesday.
source: people.com
