"Little did we know this would be her final sophomore game," the parents wrote.
A 16-year-old student in Las Vegas died after “suffering a medical episode during an athletic event on January 5, according to a message sent to families,” TODAY reported quoting KSNV, the NBC affiliate in Las Vegas. The student has been identified as Ashari Hughes.
The community is mourning the loss of 16-year-old Ashari Hughes. The Desert Oasis High School student died after a medical emergency during a flag football game. Here are a few photos provided to News 3 by her family. Those who knew Ashari only had kind words to say.@News3LV pic.twitter.com/0Y52JBy5tt
— Tiffany Lane (@TiffanyNews3LV) January 6, 2023
The cause and manner of death were not known till the next day, according to the Clark County Coroner’s office, per KSNV. Ian Salzman, the principal at Desert Oasis High School, said the staff provided medical aid to the student until paramedics arrived on the scene, KSVN reported.
Hughes collapsed during her team's home game against Valley High school, per The Las Vegas Review-Journal. She was then taken to the hospital and she died later that night. "Tremendous resiliency and compassion were on full display on January 6, through the campus as teachers, staff members, students, and parents worked to support each other working through emotions,” Salzman noted in a letter to the parents of the students at the school.
Ashari Hughes, 16, dies after Desert Oasis High School flag football game https://t.co/XB2KCh4EN9 pic.twitter.com/itr1yuiCQP
— New York Post (@nypost) January 7, 2023
He continued, “The coming weeks are sure to bring a range of emotions and feelings for students and staff. I want to remind everyone to extend patience and compassion to those who are working through the grieving process. We have our school counselors and other staff ready to offer support to those looking for someone to talk with.” Desert Oasis canceled all athletic events the day after the medical episode.
Hughes's family has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for her funeral. "As a family, we are thankful. Ashari was 16 years old and was playing the game she loves, football," the GoFundMe page reads. Describing her as "passionate, loving, and determined," it added, "Little did we know this would be her final sophomore game ... She loved music, dancing, and bringing around all the people she loved. She called football the real love of her life! She loved hard and was loved by many." It concluded, "She will be missed by all of us. Hold the #7 up high for her! It was her first football number and she always wanted to represent it well!"
Statement from CCSD Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara in regards to the passing of a Desert Oasis High School student: pic.twitter.com/plAJck42Tu
— CCSD (@ClarkCountySch) January 6, 2023
The superintendent of Clark County School District, Jesus Jara, shared a statement on the loss, saying that the whole school district is grieving "the sudden passing of one of our student-athletes." Her statement said, "The loss of this young life deeply saddens us, and our thoughts are with the student’s friends, family, and loved ones." It continued, "When a tragedy occurs, it affects not only that school but the entire Clark County School District family, and we grieve with the students, staff, and families affected by this loss."
The January 5 game would have been Hughes' last until her recovery from heart issues, the family said. She was scheduled to have a doctor's appointment on January 6.
References:
https://www.today.com/health/health/girl-dies-flag-football-las-vegas-high-school-rcna64870
https://desertohs.entest.org/Weekly%20Letter%20to%20Parents%20Guardians%201_7_23.pdf
https://www.gofundme.com/f/ashari-hughes
Cover Image Source: GoFundMe
