Outrage at Cancun School After Principal Removes Altar for Drowned Student

Cancun, Quintana Roo — The death of a teenager identified as Ever has sparked outrage at a technical middle school in Cancun after the principal ordered the removal of a makeshift altar students had set up in his memory and reportedly berated them.

Students at Secundaria Tecnica 25 placed the altar Wednesday afternoon as a gesture of respect and farewell for their classmate, who drowned in Laguna ABC. But according to students and parents, the school director ordered the altar removed and addressed the students in a disrespectful manner.

“Stop your [expletive]… your classmate is dead because he didn’t come to school, because he didn’t do things right,” the principal allegedly said, according to parents and students who witnessed the incident.

The reaction angered the school community, as several students had been praying and leaving messages for their deceased classmate.

Despite the controversy, students and parents rallied to support Ever’s family, who are struggling to cover funeral costs. They collected 10,400 pesos (about $520), which was given to Ever’s mother. Teachers also contributed an additional 200 pesos (about $10).

The tragedy has deeply affected students at the school, who continue to express their grief and shock over the loss of their classmate.