Student Alexander Warga falls ill at Park Vista High band camp and later dies

LAKE WORTH, Fla. - Just two weeks before the first day of school, a Park Vista Community High School senior has died.

Seventeen year old Alexander Warga collapsed during band camp on Friday night. He died yesterday. Paramedics with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue confirmed they went to the field responding to a call of a dehydrated teen. They rushed him to Bethesda Medical Center. He was later airlifted to St. Mary's Medical Center where he died. The Palm Beach County School District said Alexander Warga’s death is not heat related; however, they’re not saying anything more than that.

Alexander was a drum major who led the band. Those who knew him are trying to cope with his very sudden and unexpected death.

When the Park Vista Community High School's Mighty Cobras would strike up their award winning band, drum major Alexander Warga was right there.

"Alexander is awesome. He gave a thousand percent every day, seven days a week," said Park Vista Community High School Band Vice President Keith Benson.

His fellow band members called him their "leader of the band." Alexander was just seventeen years old, but those who knew him say he had a natural ability for music and inspiring people.

"He got 200 kids, 150 kids together and told them what they needed to do and they got it done,” explained Benson. “They looked up to him."

Now they are in mourning, consoling each other over Alexander's sudden death on Sunday. The district said Park Vista Community High School Principal Reggie Myers was at the hospital and met with the band director, students and their families last night. Students have set up two Facebook pages paying tribute to him. Park Vista has also brought in counselors to meet with students today. Band parents like Keith Benson are doing what they can to comfort them.

"It's a lot of leaning on shoulders,” he said. “The parents are doing a great job. It's just going to be a long road."

"They're all best friends,” he added, describing the 180 students in the band. “They're a very tight group. The band is very tight."

As the school year begins, students and staff will be looking for ways to honor their friend. While nothing has been planned yet, Park Vista Community High School’s band will create a special tribute for Alexander at the beginning of their season.

Out of respect for the wishes of Alexander’s family and Park Vista Community High School, WPTV did not talk with students on camera.

According to Keith Benson, Vice President of the Park Vista Marching Band, an account has been set up at Chase for the Warga family to help with medical expenses. If you wish to donate you can send a check payable to the Warga Family. The Chase account number is 997098728.
 

A tribute page for Warga was set up on Facebook. Click here to view.