Latest news with #FairmontHighSchool
The South African
6 days ago
- The South African
Tributes pour in for teenage friends killed in horror Brackenfell car crash
Tributes have poured in for four teenagers who tragically lost their lives in a devastating car crash in Brackenfell in the Western Cape, over the weekend. The victims have been identified as Adrian Le Roux (15), Kiara-Joy Daniels (16), Perth Eksteen (17), and Daniel Jansen van Rensburg. The crash has sent shockwaves through their communities, with messages of grief and support flooding social media platforms and local schools. According to Titanium Securitas, one of the first emergency services to arrive at the scene, the vehicle the teens were travelling in collided with a tree and caught fire. 'Two other patients were also found on scene with serious injuries and were treated and stabilised on scene before being transported to nearby hospitals,' a spokesperson for the company confirmed. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Local authorities have yet to release further details. Trauma counsellors and grief support services have been made available to affected families, classmates, and friends. Fairmont High School took to social media to share tributes to Perth and Daniel. 'We are incredibly saddened by the loss of Perth Eksteen, a vibrant and unforgettable Grade 12 student. Perth was full of energy, confidence, and spirit. Never one to go unnoticed. His bold presence, sense of humour, and sharp wit left a lasting impression on his peers and teachers alike. He brought life into every space he entered and will be sorely missed. 'We also honour the memory of Daniel Jansen van Rensburg, a past pupil who continued to proudly represent Fairmont on the rugby field, after transitioning to homeschooling. Daniel's passion for the sport and his quiet determination made him a valued teammate and friend,' the school said. In a post on Facebook, Monument Park High School described Adrian as someone whose presence 'presence brought light, laughter, and kindness to those around him. Losing someone so young is a profound tragedy, and our hearts go out to his family, friends, classmates, and teachers during this incredibly difficult time.' Kiara-Joy's former school Sarepta Secondary School – SSS, also paid tribute in a Facebook post. Post your condolences below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
08-06-2025
- General
- The South African
Outpouring of grief following death of Cape Town school's headmaster
There has been an outpouring of grief, sympathy and condolences following the death of popular Fairmont High School headmaster, Leon Erasmus. He was 59. Several of Erasmus's previous schools where he taught, as well as schools in the area, also paid tribute. In a Facebook post, Fairmont High School in Durbanville in Cape Town wrote: Dear Fairmont High School Community, It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Headmaster, Mr. Leon Erasmus. Mr. Erasmus was a man of immense strength, integrity, and honour. He led our school with unwavering dedication and a deep sense of purpose, showing us – his family, our staff, students, and the wider community – what it truly means to fight. Fight for others. Fight for good. Fight for progress. And above all, fight to live. Today, we mourn the loss of a remarkable leader and human being. But more than that, we celebrate a life that left a lasting mark on each of us. His legacy of courage, compassion, and excellence will continue to inspire Fairmont for years to come. While our hearts are saddened, we are deeply grateful to have had Mr. Erasmus lead us all. He was not only at the helm of our school; he was at the heart of it. His legacy will live on in the values he upheld and the lives he touched, his guidance, vision, and spirit will forever remain part of our fabric. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, daughters, son-in-law, grandson, mother and all loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We will share details of the celebration of his life, in due course. With respect and remembrance, Fairmont High School Post your condolences below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Anne Frank tree planted in Minnesota
The Brief A tree descended from a Chestnut tree Anne Frank wrote about in her diary is now planted in Minnesota. Fairmont High School was selected for the tree's location as part of the Sapling Project, through the Anne Frank Center. When the original tree was blown down in a storm in 2010 the Sapling Project collected seeds and has been growing sapling in Indianapolis. So far 20 trees have been planted across the country, including the one now planted in Fairmont, Minnesota. 11-year-old Natalie Flaherty spearheaded the effort to bring the piece of Anne Frank's history to her hometown. FAIRMOUNT, Minn. (FOX 9) - A tree that is a direct descendant of the Chestnut tree Anne Frank wrote about in her legendary diary is now planted in Fairmont, Minnesota. What we know Since Natalie Flaherty was in just second grade, she has been captivated by the story of Anne Frank and her view of the world while in hiding during the Holocaust. As Flaherty summarizes it, Anne wouldn't have died if it weren't for hate. "We don't love if we're going to hate," says Flaherty. "We weren't put on this world to hate and to tear our world apart. We're put on the world to love. If we hate, that's just going to break our world, and we hate for the most stupid stuff." With Anne Frank in mind, Flaherty started a Kindness Club at her school, sharing bracelets and good deeds. She and her mother traveled to Omaha to see another descendent of Anne Frank's tree planted. She spoke at the event, and became more determined to become a sapling recipient. Since then, Flaherty has met with lawmakers and Holocaust survivors. The backstory Dr. Lauren Bairnsfather of the Anne Frank Center says Flaherty was chosen as a sapling recipient, because of her unwavering dedication to Anne Frank's legacy. "I mean, she's moved by Anne Frank's story and by her diary that she is really leading a movement in Fairmont, Minnesota." For the planting ceremony, Flaherty arranged for the local choir to sing, friends to read passages from Anne Frank's diary, plus the mayor of Fairmont awarded a proclamation. She's collected letters and recognition ranging from former President Biden, to the Jewish community relations council and a phone call from the Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. "We're not Jewish," says Flaherty mother Rebecca Flohrs. "I really think it's all hate that she wants to end, and it's against all people from all different places, and you can have an inspiration and a person who is kind of like that for you and still have empathy and want for everybody to feel love and cared for." Dig deeper To learn more about the Sapling Project, click here.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kettering launches Blue Envelope Program to aid drivers with autism
Apr. 2—The Kettering Police Department's new initiative shows its commitment to inclusivity and community support. The department is launching the Blue Envelop Program on World Autism Day, which is Thursday, during Autism Awareness Month. This initiative aims to provide officers with immediate information about autism; to act as a visual cue to help officers adjust their communication style and help reduce anxiety for the driver; and to encourage preparedness for individuals with autism and their families. Inside the blue envelope, drivers with autism can store essential documents, including driver's license, vehicle registration, insurance card and emergency contact information, said Kettering officer Edward Drayton, Fairmont High School school resource officer and head of the Kettering Safe Senior Program, a voluntary program that identifies seniors and other residents with dementia, potentially incapacitating medical conditions or those with developmental disorders. "For the officer, in case it's not a city of Kettering police officer that stops this person, it would give them information about what this blue envelope is all about. It will tell them to slow down their communication, how to deal with somebody that might be autistic ...to just be patient with them," Drayton said. "I thought it would be a great supplement with our program that we call KSSP, which stands for Kettering Safe Senior Program, which would identify people with autism, Alzheimer's and dementia," he said. Police in Centerville and Vandalia are among area departments already using the program. Beginning Thursday, community members can pick up the free blue envelopes at two locations: the Kettering Police Department lobby and the Kettering Government Center front desk, both at 3600 Shroyer Road.
CBS News
23-02-2025
- CBS News
Border patrol agent laid to rest at Fort Snelling
A crowd of more than 200 uniformed officers from around the country joined David "Chris" Maland's family and friends Saturday, as the U.S. Border Patrol agent was laid to rest at Minnesota's Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Maland was killed in the line of duty on Jan. 20, after a routine traffic stop nearly 20 miles south of the Canadian border in Vermont. A person in the car Maland stopped opened fire, killing him. Another person in the car was killed when Maland returned fire. Maland was the first U.S. Border Patrol Agent killed in the line of duty in over a decade. Born in Blue Earth, Maland graduated Fairmont High School in 1999, before enlisting in the United States Airforce. There, he'd spend six years before joining the state department, where he worked in security at both the White House and Pentagon – where he was during the 9/11 attacks. Maland's time with the U.S. Border Patrol began in 2017 — his skills as a K-9 handler took him across the country. Flags statewide flew half-mast Saturday — per the direction of Governor Tim Walz. "Minnesota recognizes Maland's dedicated service and sacrifice, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones," Walz wrote in a statement. An avid camper, hiker and rock climber, Maland buried with full military honors, receiving the Airforce Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
