Massachusetts 7th Grader Killed In Aruba Boating Accident While On Family Vacation
CAMBRIDGE (CBS) -- A seventh-grade student at a Cambridge private school died this week in a boating accident while vacationing in Aruba with her family, school officials said.
The Buckingham Browne & Nichols School said in a letter to students and parents that 13-year-old Cassidy Murray died Wednesday.
"When Cassidy showed up, everyone said she just belonged here," said Buckingham Browne and Nichols Head of School Jennifer Price.
Price is opening the middle school for families to gather in their grief Saturday.
Cassidy transferred from Milton Public Schools, where the superintendent described her as "outstanding and joyful," to BB&N this academic year. Her brother is a 10th grader at BB&N.
"I've been reached out by a family, who has connections with Aruba, that the nation is mourning her loss. It's tragic and it's horrible," said Price. "She was immediately one of those kids who united the class, and they just say that she oozed kindness. She was one of those kids. She lit up a room with a smile."
At BB&N, she's remembered for enthusiastically embracing drama, ceramics, and sports.
"She was a serious gymnast, and we don't have gymnastics, so she's like, 'Let's try ice hockey this winter', and her coach talks about her even in the final game skating against people who were much better than her, and her just having a blast," Price said. "During a time when so many of us are struggling to just relax and have fun, it's just wonderful that she did that."
Cassidy's family put out a statement. "Cassidy's beautiful spirit, genuinely kind heart, bright mind, and joyful zest for life will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved her."
The BB&N Middle School will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon for grief counseling.
