St. Charles seventh-grader dies on field trip

A 12-year-old St. Charles girl collapsed in front of her classmates and died Wednesday while roller skating on a middle school field trip, school officials said Thursday.

St. Charles Unit District 303 Superintendent Don Schlomann identified the girl as Thompson Middle School seventh-grader Marisol Reyes.

He said the student collapsed around noon during a year-end field trip about 140 seventh-graders were attending at Funway Roller Rink, 1335 S. River St., Batavia. She had just left the skating area.

School staff members performed CPR, Schlomann said, but were unable to revive the girl, who was pronounced dead about 12:30 p.m. at Provena Mercy Medical Center in Aurora.

"It was very wrenching for the staff ... and students as well," Schlomann said. "We actually had counselors meet the bus before they left ... and traveled back with the students. We also have grief counselors at the school (Thursday)."

Schlomann said the girl had no medical restrictions related to school activities, according to a mandatory physician's report for students. Kane County Coroner Chuck West listed the preliminary cause of death as "a noncontagious medical condition" that was being treated.

Schlomann described Marisol as a "well-loved" student who entered District 303 as a kindergartner, then relocated to Los Angeles with her family before returning to St. Charles for sixth grade.

School Principal Pamela Kibbons said Marisol was an avid reader who played violin in the orchestra, sang in the choir and was fascinated by horses. A strong student who spoke two languages, Marisol was recently selected for a peer leader program next school year and was known for having an "extremely positive" attitude, Kibbons said.

"Marisol had a passion for not only her home family -- her younger sister, older sister and parents -- but also her school family," Kibbons said. "She communicated that passion always with a smile. The spirit of Marisol will always be here. She provided for us as a learner and as a person."

Kibbons said donations are being collected at the school, 705 W. Main St., for Marisol's family to offset expenses related to her untimely death.

Wednesday's incident took place a little more than three months after the Feb. 8 death of St. Charles North High School senior Lauren Laman, who collapsed at drill team practice.

The cause of the 18-year-old's death was mitral valve prolapse, a common heart disorder, authorities have said.