NEW PALESTINE — Cameron Thompson was a fine young man, Principal Jim Voelz said.
The unexpected death of the New Palestine High School freshman on Thursday, Jan. 21, left the Southern Hancock school community in shock and deeply saddened, district officials said.
Voelz had the good fortune, he said, of having Cameron as a student at old Doe Creek Middle School, New Palestine Junior High and at the high school this year.
“Cameron left an impact with the students and the specific teachers who had spent a lot of time with him throughout the day,” Voelz said. “This has definitely affected them. He was part of our family, and we looked out for him like we would any of our students.”
Voelz describes Cameron, 16, as the kind of student who was willing to help out around the school and loved doing all kinds of tasks, like cleaning the fish tank when he was in middle school.
“He really loved cleaning that tank each day,” Voelz said. “He loved watching the fish, but when he was finished, his teacher would come get me and they’d show me what he had accomplished and I’d always give him a high five.”
The school district released information on Cameron’s death late Thursday in a release stating he had died unexpectedly at his home.
Friday morning, Voelz spoke to the student body during morning announcements and asked them to be kind and lift each other up.
“It’s hard to tell how students are doing with the masks on, but as I walked the hallways so many kids were much more verbal in saying ‘hello’ and asking how the day was going,” Voelz said. “Sometimes things like this do remind us and help us put things in perspective as to what is important. It brings us together as a family.”
Capt. Robert Harris of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department said a preliminary investigation indicates the teenager died from natural causes. The county coroner, David Stillinger, was in meetings Friday and could not be reached for comment.
According to police reports, first-responders were called to Cameron’s home in New Palestine 12:52 p.m. Thursday to render aid, but efforts at CPR failed.
Officials said the teenager apparently had not been feeling well the past couple of days, and Voelz noted Cameron had missed school time this week.
Wes Anderson, community relations director for the district, said officials were saddened to hear of Cameron’s passing and that he was a well-liked student.
“This is a very difficult time for our students, staff and the Southern Hancock community,” Anderson said. “Our thoughts are with Cameron’s family during this difficult time.”
Counselors were available for students and staff at New Palestine High School on Friday. Community resource information was also available for students in all schools through counselors’ offices.
While Cameron wasn’t a big talker or too expressive, Voelz said he could always tell when the young man was having a good day.
“Just the way he walked the halls or was working hard on a project in class, you could tell when he was excited about a school day,” Voelz said. “He liked being at the high school.”
Funeral services for Cameron are pending.
