Classes will let out early at Ovid-Elsie schools on Friday, as the high school gymnasium plans to host a funeral.
The service will be held for 2018 graduate Carson Vincent, who committed suicide this week.
The staff at Ovid-Elsie say Vincent had a special impact on this small community.
"It was a big shock at first...obviously a lot of confusion and questions, but this community has been unbelievable," basketball coach Josh Latz said.
The small communities of Ovid and Elsie are trying to come to grips with a tragedy by leaning on each other. Vincent was well-liked by many. Faculty and teachers say he was a star on the football team and track team, but people who knew him tell me his true love was basketball.
"I remember very clearly as a freshman him walking with his books in one hand and a basketball in the other arm. You don't see that with a lot of kids," superintendent Ryan Cunningham said.
Those who knew him say that he was just an overall good kid. His former coach said he was looking forward to his first season on the Mid-Michigan Community College basketball team. Staff say you never know what people are facing. and they hope that now more than ever, people speak up and listen.
"I want them to know that they can come to me and if I find little details and things, I just want to be able to talk to them about that. You just can't take the small things for granted," Cunniungham said.
The community wanted to hold his funeral in the gym because it was the home of his passion. They also say its because of the amount of lives he touched.
"I think the biggest thing was logistics. Carson touched so many lives and knew so many kids and families were close to him and we don't have anywhere big enough in the community to hold that many people," Latz said.
Others agreed.
"You know he was a great kid and just left it all on the floor. He inspired a whole community last year," Cunningham said.
The school has grief counselors available for students. News 10 reached out to Vincent's mother, she said she wanted to thank the community for its support.
Carson Vincent's memorial service will be held Friday at 12:30. The elementary schools will be dismissed at 11:15 with everyone else let out at 11:30.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255, or text TALK to 741741.
