15-year-old student dead following medical emergency just days after start of school year

SHAWNEE, Kan. (KCTV/Gray News) - A 15-year-old student high school student has died just days after the academic year started.

The Shawnee Mission Northwest High School sophomore was taken to the hospital after requiring medical attention during an offseason conditioning practice.

Johnson County officials confirmed that emergency services were called Wednesday afternoon to Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. First responders took the 15-year-old student to the hospital, in critical condition at the time.

The school district learned Friday that the student had eventually died.

The district shared the news in an email sent to families.

“This morning, we learned of the death of Ovet Gomez Regalado, a sophomore here at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. As you can imagine, it has been an extremely difficult time for the family. Ovet was such a warm and wonderful student that touched the hearts of so many in our community,” principal Lisa Gruman said, in part, in the statement.

Gruman mentioned there are many things that are not yet known about Ovet’s death.

The incident has had a districtwide impact.

“This is shocking news to all of us. It’s not supposed to happen. Young people aren’t supposed to die,” Shawnee Mission School District spokesperson David Smith said. “All of us are just trying to come to terms with that and process it and to feel the grief that’s associated with this. This is not what is supposed to happen.”

Smith also said Ovet will be missed by many.

“From the reactions that I’ve heard from teachers and other staff that this was a great kid and there is really going to be a loss at Northwest,” Smith added.

The school has staff available to talk with anyone who is struggling to handle the emotional situation.

The district said Ovet was a beloved member of the Shawnee Mission Northwest Community.

Ovet’s family has asked for privacy during the devastating time.

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