Ryan Simpson was a sophomore and former honor roll student at McDonough High School in Pomfret. He was a talented guitar player affectionately known as Choo-Choo to his friends in the fledgling local band, The Struggle Within.
 |
|
Photo and audio clip courtesy of |
The band’s MySpace page has an audio upload of Simpson’s music. The audio clip with this article features selections that highlight his talented playing. Simpsons playing sounded a lot like the musically brilliant Eddie Van Halen’s style. This boy had potential. He had friends and family who care about him. All of this makes news of his death difficult to take for those who knew him.
Police and Emergency Medical Services were called to Ryan’s home about 4:15 Wednesday afternoon. The Bay Net received word about Ryan’s death late last night, but refrained from posting the story until McDonough High School teachers could tell students themselves in their first classes this morning. Out of respect for Ryan’s family and concern for the County’s teenagers, The Bay Net will not seek or release details on the manner of his death. No funeral arrangements have been released yet. Watch The Bay Net’s Announcements section for information on where people can pay their respects to Ryan’s family when it becomes available.
Katie O’Malley-Simpson (Charles County Board of Education, Media Relations) assured The Bay Net that a crisis team is on hand at McDonough High School to help students and staff come to terms with the sudden loss of this member of the McDonough community.
The Crisis Team consists of extra school system guidance counselors, psychologists, nurses and pupil personnel workers (who counsel students’ issues with classmates, family and the school). The team is available to schools whenever and as long as they are needed. McDonough Principal Jervie Petty will keep the Crisis Team available to students and staff as long as she feels they need the extra support.
Principal Petty will send home a letter with her students to keep parents informed about the situation. Check back this afternoon to read a copy of the letter here.
Update: McDonough Principal Petty’s Letter to Parents
March 22, 2007
Dear Parents and Guardians:
McDonough High School suffered the tragic loss of one of its students last night.
We were notified this morning of the death of Ryan Simpson, and teachers let students know about their classmate during first period. Students who needed the opportunity to talk were excused from class to speak to counselors. Additional counselors, pupil personnel workers and psychologists are available at the school for students and staff, and will be available as long as we feel students need extra attention. Please call the school if you feel your child needs additional grief counseling.
<!–
–>