Samohi Loss, Please Donate

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I reach out to inform you that we have lost a student member of our Samohi family. This morning we learned that S House freshmen, Leo Castillo, was hit by a car last night while crossing Olympic Blvd on his razor scooter. While the owner of the vehicle stopped immediately and called for help, Leo died at the scene of the accident.

This news has deeply shaken and shocked each of us who knew and loved Leo. Samohi as a whole is in mourning. Students who we knew were particularly close to Leo, were pulled in by administrators and advisers to offer immediate 1 on 1 support. All other students informed via a statement read by their 3rd period teachers. Any students who were visibly upset, or shared they needed some space and support for coping with this, were supported in the library by our advisers, as well as extra grief counselors provided to us by our district. We also sent additional support into each of Leo’s classes.

I am calling to share this with you to allow you the opportunity to connect with and support your child as needed. Advisers and standby grief counselors will be available tomorrow to continue any and all support needed for our kids.

We have connected with the parents, and they are understandably devastated. In the face of the worst parent nightmare ever, they have been given 10 days to raise $15,000 for funeral costs. Anything that you can do to help would be much appreciated. Each House office, as well as my office, will be accepting any and all donations you would like to contribute. Students are coming together with me tomorrow, as they too are looking for any and every way they can help.

Please join me in sending everyone who loved Leo our most healing Samohi love and support.

Sincerely,

Eva Mayora, School Principal