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Eudora Kean Student Dies at JROTC Summer Camp

June 29, 2005 – A 17-year-old Ivanna Eudora Kean student, who was attending a Junior Reserves Officer Training Corp summer camp program in Puerto Rico, died Wednesday.
According to a release issued by the Education Department, Tracy Moise, who had recently been promoted to the 12th grade, apparently died in her sleep. The cause of death has yet to be determined.
"Death is always and under all circumstances a tragedy; and what is even more tragic is the loss of someone as young, bright and vibrant as Tracy Moise," Education Commissioner Dr. Noreen Michael stated in the release.
Michael told the Moise family that words seemed insignificant in expressing sympathy for the "devastating and deep loss you must be feeling at this time."
She added, "It is my hope that you will receive some measure of comfort from the many good wishes and expressions of sympathy offered by the V.I. Department of Education staff, administration and faculty of the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and members of the community."
Moise and 33 other cadets from Kean's JROTC unit, along with instructor Col. David Waller, had been at Camp Santiago in Salinas, Puerto Rico, since last Wednesday. In all, 154 students from the territory were attending the program.
According to the release, the nine-day program entitled, "Islands Venture 2005," featured several activities including: small boat training, swimming (drownproofing), repel towering, compass training and land navigation. Students also received mathematics and science instruction.
The Kean High unit has been a part of the summer program for the past 10 years, and students entering the camp are required to meet various physical qualifications, including two medical screenings by a general practitioner and a military physician.
Fiona Fahie, a 17-year-old recent Kean graduate who was a friend of Moise, said the news of her death was "heartbreaking."
"She was a very friendly, outgoing person," Fahie said. "She got along with everybody. It was very sad to hear of her death because as an ROTC member, in the Devil Rays Battalion, we were very close, like a family."
Moise's mother, Eubertina, said the family was still awaiting the details of her death.
"We were just informed this evening," Eubertina Moise said.
She said of her daughter, "She was a people person; very friendly and involved in her school and church. She will be missed."

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