OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — 14-year-old Reat Griffin Underwood was a freshman at Blue Valley High School where there were no classes Monday because of a previously planned in-service day.
But members of a school choir did show up at school to rehearse for state performances.
The principal said Reat would have been with those practicing students.
Reat recently showcased his talents as a member of the mission band in Blue Valley High School’s performance of Guys and Dolls.
Reat was an outgoing freshman who participated in debate, theater and other performing arts. The principal told FOX 4 News he first met Reat when he sang the National Anthem for the Blue Valley Education Foundation.
Reat’s mother, Mindy Corporon, told FOX 4 News Reat and his grandfather, Dr. William Lewis Corporon are in heaven together now.
“I’m not sure that there are words right now that can explain what took place,” said Scott Bacon, Blue Valley High School principal. “Over time we certainly want to try to learn from this unfortunate experience. I think right now what our kids need is our love our tenderness our caring that’s our first order of business.”
Bacon says photos of Reat performing show how happy he was to be at school.
Reat’s grandfather, Dr. Corporon, practiced family medicine in Oklahoma until moving to the metro area in 2003. In a prepared statement released by Church of Resurrection, the family’s place of worship, the family says they believe evil will not have the final word and that good will come from this tragedy.
Mindy Corporon tells FOX 4 News she believes her father and her son are safe in God’s arms. The school will continue to have counselors on hand for students when classes resume Tuesday.
