Rivas was a senior at Notre Dame High School and was preparing to graduate in May. He was a kind soul who was full of life. Rivas was a role model not only to his siblings but also his peers. He was known for his kind personality and great taste in music.
The weekend before this tragedy Rivas held a little party after prom for everyone to have a last hurrah before graduation. He hosted a great party and everyone was able to celebrate one last time with him.
The Notre Dame Student Body held prayer services for him on April 27, and raised money for the funeral expenses his family had to pay. The Peer Ministry held a car wash to raise money for the Rivas family, and ended up raising over $3,000. The school also collected funds in every classroom to help alleviate the funeral costs. The faculty and staff have worked endlessly to help the Rivas Family. David’s funeral was held May 6 at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church. The community is staying strong and trying to make David Rivas proud. We love you, David.
Special Graduation held
After the untimely passing of David Rivas, the students and staff have all supported each other and the Rivas family. Notre Dame came together once again as the graduating seniors, sporting the traditional green caps and gowns, supported Emily Ariri and her family as she received her diploma early.
Ariri’s mother has been battling leiomyosarcoma, a form of cancer, for the past three years. As the school year wound down she was given as little as two weeks to live, and her ailing wish was to see her Emily graduate. Mrs. RaeAnne Ashton, a teacher at Notre Dame, as well as senior class president, Cierra Black, decided that they needed to fulfill this wish. Even though the school graduation was not until May 30, they decided to stage a graduation in honor of Emily and her mother on April 30.
This was much like a typical graduation. There were speeches given by students and principal Matt Luttringer, as well as a special announcement at the end: Ariri was awarded a $28,000 scholarship by Mount Saint Mary’s College. This event was another great show of support by the Notre Dame community. They continue to demonstrate that this community lives as one heart and one spirit.