Carmel High mourns 2008 graduate killed at Notre Dame

Students and staffers at Mundelein's Carmel Catholic High School are mourning a 2008 graduate who died when a scissor lift collapsed at the University of Notre Dame.

The faculty gathered at the start of the school day Thursday to share the news of Declan Sullivan's death and pray, Carmel spokeswoman Dawn Jenich said.

More prayers came when students arrived, Jenich said, as did a moment of silence.

Additionally, Carmel's sophomore football team, which includes Sullivan's younger brother Macarten, came together in the school chapel for a team prayer, Jenich said. They also discussed ways the team can help the Sullivan family, she said.

Sullivan, 20, of Long Grove, was filming a Notre Dame football practice when the lift toppled over in high winds, according to the university. He was a junior at the school.

Sullivan's sister, Gwyneth, is a freshman at Notre Dame and a 2010 Carmel graduate, Jenich said.

Jenich described Declan Sullivan as a gifted student who was “loved by students and faculty alike.”

During his years at Carmel, Sullivan was a member of the sophomore football team and freshman volleyball team. He also was part of the marching, jazz and concert bands and the wind ensemble, officials said.

David Wiebers, Carmel's director of band activities and music education, praised Sullivan as a high-energy student who never let people down.

“I guess I could say he was a true Carmel kid an academically talented young man who respected others, reached out beyond himself, approached life aggressively and strove for excellence,” Wiebers said in a Carmel news release.

Other staffers remembered Sullivan's sense of humor and positive outlook on life.

“When he graduated, he took the time to give me a handwritten thank-you note as well as flowers,” guidance counselor Christine Hartnett recalled in the school's news release. “I will truly miss him.”

Social workers and guidance counselors were available Thursday to grieving students, Jenich said.

Carmel students and educators will hold a special Mass for Declan Sullivan and his family Friday morning before school, Jenich said. It will be closed to the general public.

Despite Sullivan's death, a scheduled march through the hallways to honor recently crowned state tennis champion Jasmine Minor will go on as planned Friday, school officials said.

“It may seem a bit contrary for our community to celebrate Jasmine while mourning Declan,” Associate Principal Jennifer Burkhalter said in an e-mail. “However, this is an opportunity to teach our students that life can be filled with both sadness and celebration, and to look for the positive even when it's hard to find.”

Visitation for Sullivan is scheduled for 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 415 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich.

A funeral Mass will be said at 11:30 a.m. Monday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove.

Interment will be private.