By Mary Drier (Contact / Staff Bio)
September 12, 2009 - 11:35 a.m. EST

CASS CITY — The first week of school was tragic in the Cass City School District with the death of a student Thursday.

Corey Sanders, 18, who was a junior, had a seizure about 11:15 a.m. and collapsed in the high school cafeteria.

“He stopped breathing after he had the seizure,” said Superintendent Ron Wilson.

Within minutes, students were cleared from the cafeteria and CPR was administered by paraprofessional Nick Moyer, who is a volunteer firefighter, along with school Nurse Kathy LaPonsie and a high school student.

“They did CPR for about 10-15 minutes until the EMTs got here, and they continued to help them,” said Wilson. “Corey was taken to Cass City Hospital. At about 1 p.m. he was pronounced dead.”

School officials said they knew Sanders had seizure disorder, but didn’t know the extent of it. As far as anyone can remember, he’d never had a seizure at school, according to District representatives.

“This is a difficult time for everyone,” said Wilson on Friday. “We have grief counselors from throughout the Thumb, and several clergy here to help.

“Corey was very caring. He planned to be a minster. He was just one great kid.”

Besides the devastating loss of their child, the Sanders family, owners of a restaurant in town, didn’t have life insurance on their son.

“Our hearts go out to Dave and Mary Sanders and their family. They have our condolences and prayers,” said Wilson.

“They are going to be faced with funeral, hospital and ambulance expenses.”

When Sanders passed away Thursday, the Cass City and Harbor Beach school districts canceled their junior varsity football game. That game was played Friday before the varsity game.

“Harbor Beach is donating the gate receipts to the Sanders family, and the 50-50 drawing money too, in memory of Corey,” said Wilson.

“The outpouring from this community and everyone has been amazing. About $3,000 has been raised here so far.”

Donations can be made at Thumb National Bank, 6132 E. Cass City Rd., Cass City, to the Corey Sanders Memorial Fund to help the family.

Funeral arrangements for Sanders are pending as of press time.

Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.