It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of one of our students, Melvin Osiel Duarte Garcia. His loss will be deeply felt across our entire school community, including classmates, teachers, staff, and families. We recognize that news of this nature is incredibly difficult to process, and our immediate priority is to ensure that support and care are available to all those impacted.
Melvin was a bright and strong-willed young man whose sense of humor brought joy to those around him. He treated others with respect and kindness, and he left a lasting impression on both students and staff who knew and cared for him. His presence made a meaningful difference in our school, and he will be remembered for the positive impact he had on those around him.
“Melvin was a bright and strong-willed young man whose sense of humor brought joy to those around him. He treated others with respect and left a lasting impression on both students and staff, who cared for him deeply. He will be remembered for the impact that he had on our school community,” said Donnah Swaby, Principal.
“In my short time at Catalyst Academy, I had the privilege of knowing Melvin Duarte, a young man whose insight, warmth, and genuine love for family and friendship left a lasting impression on all who crossed his path. Melvin embodied what it truly means to be a kind-hearted human being, and his presence made our school community a better place. He will be deeply missed, and our hearts go out to his family during this incredibly difficult time. Melvin will forever be a part of the Catalyst family,” said Jay Miramant, Principal.
Grief counselors and support staff will be available as needed at both Catalyst Academy and Slade Middle School for students and staff who may need someone to talk with in the coming days. We encourage families to check in with their children, as everyone processes grief differently. If additional support is needed, please contact your school’s main office.
We ask that you keep Melvin’s family, friends, classmates, and all who knew him in your thoughts, while respectfully honoring their privacy during this incredibly difficult time.
