Notre Dame High School Student Dies after Collapsing on Campus

Grief counselors were at the campus of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks today following the death of a student basketball player.

Nikki Valdez died Monday at Sherman Oaks Hospital, Notre Dame President Brett Lowart said in a statement on the school’s website.

“Nikki was a freshman member of the class of 2019,” Lowart said. “She has a brother, Addison, who is a junior at Notre Dame.

“Nikki suddenly collapsed while observing basketball practice in the afternoon,” Lowart said. “She was immediately treated by paramedics called to the scene, then transferred to (the hospital), where efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.

”(Our principal) Mrs. Connelly and I, along with the sports medicine staff, basketball coaches and her basketball teammates were at the hospital with the Valdez family when this horribly sad news was announced,” Lowart said.

“We ask for your prayers for Nikki and her family: Addison and her parents, Adam and Helen,” Lowart said.

The cause of death was not immediately known.

A prayer service will be held in the gym later today, Lowart said.

City news Service; Photo: Courtesy of Notre Dame High School