Classmates Mourn Loss Of Sequoyah High School Student

CANTON, GA -- The Sequoyah High School community in Hickory Flat is mourning the loss of one of its students. The school has experienced a "great loss" with the passing of Shawn Murphy, a junior who was on track to graduate in 2019, Principal Elliott Berman informed parents in a letter dated Oct. 4.

The Cherokee County School District shared Berman's letter with Patch.

"Shawn was a very bright student who was academically focused," Berman said. "He always came to class in a good mood, always willing to help out classmates. Shawn was generous, gracious and considerate to everyone."

Grief counselors will be on hand to work with students, answering questions and providing support to those in need of helping process the sudden loss, Berman added (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

While Sequoyah High School has rolled out ways to help its students cope, the principal added "it is best to have a child's parent or guardian discuss situations that can be devastating to a child, such as the concept of an untimely death and what it entails."

Students on social media were encouraged to wear yellow on Thursday and Friday as well as to the school's Oct. 6 football game against South Cobb High School as a way to pay their respects.

"On behalf of the Sequoyah High School staff, we extend our sincerest commitment to continue providing an environment of academic and personal growth for your child," Berman concluded. "We will stick together and help each other through this very sad and difficult time."

In the meantime, a GoFundMe campaign has been created to help Murphy's family cover any funeral expenses. The campaign notes the student was a "wonderful young man" who enjoyed cats, music, reading and spending time with his sisters.

"He was such a joy and brightened the lives of his friends and family," organizer Courtney Poss writes.

Photo: Shawn Murphy, left. Credit: GoFundMe