Students at Santa Fe Catholic High School were mourning the loss of one of their fellow students on Monday.
Football player Gil Kromer died over the weekend at Tampa General Hospital of a probable case of bacterial meningitis.
Kromer's aunt Carrie Busbee said Kromer started throwing up on Friday. She said everyone believed he was just suffering from an intestinal bug going around the school. In fact, the school was closed on Friday because so many students and staff had gotten sick.
But then Kromer got a headache and lesions showed up on Saturday.
"By the time you saw that there wouldn't have been anything much they could have done," said Busbee.
Busbee said Kromer was given last rites on Saturday as people also gathered around him to pray.
On Monday, students at Santa Fe High were let out of classes early so they could attend a celebration of life mass in Kromer's honor.
"The kids were gracious and courageous and have been so supportive over the weekend," said Busbee. "They were at the hospital. They have been silent and just there."
The Polk County Health Department was at the school Monday. Its team worked with the school to make sure that common areas including doorknobs and keyboards were disinfected as a precaution.
"Right now there is not a public health threat for a student to attend the school," said health department spokesman Scott Sjoblom. "That the school has taken the proper precautions to protect the health and safety. It's not so much a school issue but a community issue."
The health department said it was still investigating how Kromer may have contracted bacterial meningitis. It may remain a mystery because a person can be a carrier without having any symptoms.
Carrie Busbee said Kromer's organs were donated for transplantation and that he will live on in a way inside other people.
"I can see at least five other people with his strong heart, his lungs, other organs. I think not only was he a gift in life but a gift in death," said Busbee.
Carol Brinati, Chancellor for Administration, released the following statement Monday afternoon;
Gil Kromer, a student of Santa Fe Catholic High School, died on Saturday from complications arising from a probable case of bacterial meningitis. We pray for the repose of the soul of Gil Kromer, our deceased student, and for the Kromer family. We remember Gil as an amazing person of God, kind and generous of spirit with a smile for everyone.
The Santa Fe Catholic High School community is faith-filled. Today, the students, faculty, staff, and parents began the day with Morning Prayer and ended the day with the celebration of Mass. Grief counselors were present throughout the day to meet with students, faculty, staff and parents.
We are grateful to Dr. Dr. Ulyee Choe, director of the Florida Department of Health in Polk County, and his staff who have provided us information regarding health issues and questions from our parents. At this point in their investigation, the health department does not see any relationship between the cluster of stomach illnesses and the probable case of bacterial meningitis. Their epidemiology unit continues to be in contact with the students who were experiencing the gastro-intestinal symptoms to monitor their progress.
Using guidance provided by the health department, Santa Fe Catholic High School has been wiped down and disinfected. The virus that caused the GI illness should no longer be a threat. In the case of bacterial meningitis, Dr. Choe did not recommend closing the school, as those at greatest risk would be persons living in the same household as the sick student.The epidemiology unit of the Florida Department of Health in Polk continues to be available if you have questions. You can reach them at 863-519-8300.
Let us pray for each other as we pray for the Kromer family that the light of Christ might be shared among us as comfort and peace fills our heart.