Elwood community mourns teen who died after seizure

The Elwood community is coming together to help the family of the teen who lost his battle with epilepsy.

News 12 Staff

Jul 15, 2019, 9:30 PM

Updated 1,744 days ago

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The Elwood community is coming together to help the family of the teen who lost his battle with epilepsy.
Nate Petit was 14 years old. Everyone at his school says he made a lasting impression on them.
Petit had a seizure on Friday and died.
Darren Szokoli was also Petit's coach. Szokoli says Petit liked basketball and lacrosse but he loved football most of all.
Szokoli says Petit couldn't play sometimes because of his seizures, but he never allowed his battle with epilepsy to stop him from being a part of the team.
"He hung around the sports teams all the time because he wanted to be a part of it, because we allowed him to be a part of it. And it really bothered him because he couldn't participate," Szokoli says.
A family friend started a GoFundMe page for Petit that has now raised more than $20,000 to help pay for his funeral costs. Whatever is left over will go to the Epilepsy Foundation of Metro NY and to set up a scholarship in Petit's honor.
Teachers say Petit will forever be remembered for his dynamic personality and his positive outlook on life.
More than 300 students and faculty attended a candlelight vigil Monday in honor of Petit.
Counselors will be on hand Tuesday at Elwood Middle School to help students cope.


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