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Teen’s death takes toll on school, classmates
The loss of a brilliant, respectable and willing student has taken a tremendous toll
Chelsea Fernandez (right) and her best friend, Kerriann Schultz, heading to a school tour earlier this year
on the students and teachers of Covent Garden Secondary School, especially as the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination grows nearer.
Chelsea Avanna Fernandez, the 16-year-old fifth form Business student was in the process of preparing to write eight subjects at the upcoming examinations when she died.
Teachers and students of her school were among the many mourners seen at Fernandez’s funeral service conducted at her Lot 851 Section C Block Y, Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara home, on Thursday.
After the funeral service the students all returned and settled back into their respective classrooms. Just a very few attended the anticipated National School’s Championships.
Ronalda Johnson, Fernandez’s English Language teacher, described her as one of the very few students who was always jovial and willing to work and one who would participate in almost all the activities being held on the school’s behalf.
“Chelsea was not only an excellent English A student but she was a respectful and hard working student who I am sure would’ve done well at the CSEC examinations as well” added Johnson.
Kerriann Schultz, Fernandez’s best friend, told Kaieteur News that her chum was unique and to her amazement she possessed all the qualities of a good friend.
“We all depend on Chelsea for advice, no matter what problems we may have she is always there to help, and she would always advice us to do the right thing,” added Schultz.
Other close friends such as Vanessa Rampersaud, Shivanie Naryan and Keshava Ragunandan, said that class time for them will now seem dull without Chelsea as she was always the one to make jokes with the teachers and keep the classroom lively.
Fernandez’s friends all agreed that going into the exams without their dear friend would be something they wish they didn’t have to do, especially since she was anticipating the upcoming exams more than anyone else in their class.
Fernandez was said to have been spending the weekend at her aunt’s house in New Hope, East Bank Demerara when she decided to take her five younger cousins for a swim in the Demerara River on Saturday last.
According to reports, after a few minutes of swimming the tides began to get dangerously high and the children decided to come out of the water while Fernandez insisted on taking another dip.
Mere seconds later Fernandez along with her 10-year-old cousin, Joseph Stanislaus, was battling the raging water. Stanislaus managed to make his way to shore from where he watched, helplessly, as his cousin went under.
Chelsea Fernandez’s bloated remains were discovered on Monday last.
The students of Covent Garden Secondary School had hardly come to grips with the loss of another school mate Manoj Persaud, who succumbed on February 19, last, precisely two weeks after he consumed a noxious substance.
He too was described as very loving and caring and a favourite of his peers and teachers.
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Hope the student body of Covent Garden Secondary School was given access to some degree of Grief Counseling. I feel the pain of their recent losses.
Very sad indeed. I hope the students and teachers of this school should be given some form of counseling.
VERY SAD. THINGS HAPPEN AND WE ASK OURSELVES WHY. HER DEATH SHOULD BE KEPT ALIVE BY TEACHING WATER SAFETY. NO SWIMMING SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN THE RIVERS
I am at a loss for words….my heartfelt condolences to the mourners and I hope the classmates will be able to concentrate on their up comming exams…..HEADS UP young ones Chelsea’s will want nothing better than you to do your best….may her young and innocent soul have eternal rest
Very tragic indeed —— so young with so much promise , my condolences to the family and studients .
I am living in Suriname, and when i read about the young chelsea, it was so sad.
I give my condolences to the family teachers and friends may here young soul rest
in peace. Gods know everything.