Southwestern Randolph High School (Google Maps)
RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — Southwest Randolph High School is mourning the death of a football player.
Early this month, SRHS A prayer service was held for second-year student Pedro Ortiz Perez. He died on Tuesday, according to a released statement. SWRHS Soccer on wednesday.
“Pedro was not only a talented player, but also a kind and enthusiastic young man. His passion for the game was contagious and he brought positive energy to every practice and game,” the statement read in part. has been done.
The next football season was dedicated to Pedro.
“Every game, every goal, every victory will be dedicated to his memory. His absence on the field will be deeply felt, but his spirit will inspire us with heart and determination. It inspires me to play,” the statement reads in part.
The full statement is below.
Coaching a high school soccer team is a challenging but rewarding experience, with ups and downs. One of the most difficult moments for the coach he SWR Soccer is to cope with the sudden loss of a player named Pedro, a member of his team.
Pedro was not only a talented player, but also a kind and enthusiastic young man. His passion for the game was contagious and he brought positive energy to every practice and game. As a coach, watching Pedro and his teammates on the field has always been a source of pride for me.
But yesterday, Pedro passed away. This news shocked our team, Southwestern Randolph High Schoolwe are devastated and struggling to come to terms with the loss of someone so young and vibrant.
Our role as coaches goes beyond tactics and training. We must guide our players through a period of grief and help them work through the emotions that come with losing a teammate or friend. We lean on each other for strength and find solace in our shared love of the game and our shared memories with Pedro. The soccer field, which was once a playing field, has become a space for healing and mourning.
In honor of Pedro, we will dedicate the next season to him. Every match, every goal, every victory will be dedicated to his memory. His absence from the field will be felt deeply, but his spirit will inspire us to play with heart and determination.
Pedro may no longer be with us in person, but his spirit lives on in the bonds we forged and the lessons we learned. As we continue our journey, we will carry his memory with us as a constant reminder of the impact one person can have on a team and community.
Pedro said to me, “I made you my coach.''
#8 I caught you! Your teammates and coaches love you and are committed to keeping your spirit alive in our hearts.
SWRHS Soccer
Superintendent Dr. Stephen Gainey sent the following statement to SRHS students:
Pedro Ortiz Perez, a very special member of the Randolph County School System family, passed away on May 14, 2024. Pedro attended Southwestern when he was his sophomore year at Randolph High School. He was dearly loved by his classmates, the staff at Southwestern Randolph High School, and many others throughout our community. It is with great sadness that the Randolph County Board of Education staff and I extend our condolences to the family of Pedro Ortiz Perez and to the students, staff, and community members of Southwestern Randolph High School. An additional counselor will be stationed on the South Western Randolph High School campus and he will be available to support students and staff at the school throughout the week as needed.
Superintendent Dr. Stephen Gainey
