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The George Rogers Clark High School and Winchester community was saddened at the news that sophomore Elizabeth A. Walker passed away this week. 

The news was confirmed in a letter written by Clark County Public Schools Superintendent Dustin Howard on Tuesday, Oct. 22, and posted to CCPS’ Facebook page. 

“I am heartbroken to inform you that our district learned this morning of the tragic passing of a George Rogers Clark High School student. Sophomore Elizabeth A. Walker passed away at home sometime before Tuesday morning,” read a portion of the letter. “On behalf of all CCPS schools and staff, I extend my heartfelt sympathy to Elizabeth’s family, friends, teachers, and classmates. This is a difficult time for all of us, but as we always do, our students, staff, and community will come together to work through this tragedy together.” 

George Rogers Clark High School Principal Luke Toy also wrote a letter that was posted to the school’s Facebook page. 

“I am deeply saddened to inform you that we have lost a member of our school family,” states a portion of the letter. “Please keep our community in your thoughts and prayers as we grieve the loss of one of our own.” 

Speaking over the phone, Howard noted that much support has been provided in the tragedy’s immediate aftermath. 

“It’s a very heartbreaking, sad time in the Clark County Public School system. We lost a young lady that was a light in our building that positively impacted everyone around her. We’re very thankful for the show of support with community partners including the [Winchester] police department with our therapy dog, Abe, counselors from around the district, mental health therapists from around our community, our ministerial association…everybody’s pulling together,” he said. “My experience is [that] tough times don’t last, but tough people and tough communities…come together [and] connect in hard times…our heart goes out to her family. [With] everything they need we’re going to continue to [provide] support.” 

Walker’s death comes less than two months after another GRC student, McKenna Letcher, died in a traffic accident.

A cause of death has not yet been determined nor has information regarding services been released.