Schools

UPDATED: Fremd High School Sophomore Passes Away from Asthma Attack

While vacationing in California, Fremd sophomore football player Demerio Thomas died after having an asthma attack. The Fremd High School community is mourning the loss.

UPDATED: Monday, April 1 3:35 p.m. 

The Fremd High School community is mourning the loss of one of their own.

Demerio Thomas, 15, a sophomore football player, passed away Saturday while visiting family with his mother in California.

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Fremd Head Football Coach Lou Sponsel said Demerio was truly a special young man. 

"It always seems like these things happen to the great kids, Demerio was fun-loving and very hard working; he was always cracking jokes, he had everyone’s back, and would always go that extra mile," Sponsel said.

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He was a strong, talented, great kid, he said.

Sponsel said Thomas had a severe asthma attack on Friday, March 28 while in California, and was taken to the hospital to be treated. He passed away on Saturday, March 28.  

"Demerio had pretty severe asthma, he was mature about it and knew when he could push through it during practice and when he had to stop and take a breathing treatment," Sponsel said.

Sponsel met with Demerio's teammates Monday morning at 7 a.m. to let them know he had passed away, and to provide support to them.  

A moment of silence was observed by the entire school at 7:30 a.m. 

"There is no easy way to explain that life moves on, especially when Demerio was so loved by everyone," Sponsel said. "Different kids are handling it differently; some were crushed, some shelled up, and some were able to sit there and tell stories about how Demerio would make eveyone laugh."

There are 200 high school students in the football program, in addition to the students involved in track and field who also played alongside Thomas, who also was a shot putter. 

Sponsel said the loss of Demerio is personally difficult for him. He recalled how the young man came in as a freshman to the football program, and would always be in weightlifting classes, continually working hard, always doing more than was asked of him.   

"It’s tough trying to balance your emotions, making sure you facilitate everything the right way. But I have to stay strong for the kids," Sponsel said.

"Demerio was a very special young man, he had a big personality, and everyone at Fremd knew, and liked him," Sponsel said. "He will be missed."

According to Tom Petersen from District 211, counselors went to each of Demerio's classes to speak with students, and counselors, social workers, and psychologists are available for students who may have a need for additional support.

At this time, information on Demerio’s services have not been finalized, Tom Petersen. 

EARLIER:

A moment of silence was held this morning at Fremd High School due to the recent death of Demerio Thomas, a sophomore football player at the school, according to an individual who works at Fremd. 

A Local Voice contributor broke the news in the Palatine Patch Local Voices section in the contribution below. (click link)

Sad news for Fremd.....Sophomore Demerio Thomas passed away.

According to sources, Head Coach Lou Sponsel held a meeting for all the football players at 7 a.m. at the school.

A statement from Fremd High School is forthcoming.

Palatine Patch will provide updates on this breaking story as they become available. 


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