JP Stevens Students Wear Blue In Support Of Injured Classmate

EDISON, NJ — This past Friday night, J.P. Stevens went "blue for the fighter in you" in support of Lace Vargas, a senior who was seriously injured after being shocked and falling 30 feet last week.

During Friday night's football game, students wore blue in support of Vargas, a popular varsity wrestler who was seriously injured in Metuchen last week.

The "blue out" was a last minute change from the original plan of wearing all pink for the annual breast cancer awareness game. The cheerleaders, who custom ordered shirts months in advance, still wore pink, and student organizers asked that fans wear dark blue instead of light, to avoid the appearance of a baby shower.

Donations were being collected at the game to help with the family's medical expenses.

The accident came as a shock to the school, a feeling that was palpable in the days after Vargas was injured. A popular, outgoing senior, Vargas was known to have a sense of adventure, and many students seemed stunned one of their classmates could be so seriously injured.

Vargas was injured while climbing the train trestle behind St. Joe's High School in Metuchen last Tuesday. His backpack hit a wire, shocking him and sending him falling 30 feet.

He remains hospitalized with multiple broken bones and burns over a large portion of his body. He is awake after being in a medically induced coma for a few days, and has been communicating. His mother said that Vargas will have his first skin graft surgery on Monday; she asked that people keep her son in their prayers.

The school community's support extended beyond the football game. The girl's volleyball team wore blue socks and headbands during their game last Thursday, with some girls writing "LV" on their faces. One of Vargas' favorite songs, "The Pursuit of Happiness" by Kid Cudi and MGMT, played over the loudspeakers after homeroom Friday morning (playing a song over the speakers is a Friday morning tradition at J.P.S.).

Slideshow: Students wear blue at Friday night's football game in honor of classmate Lance Vargas

Friends have also shared messages of support on social media, many sharing prayers and well wishes.

Thank you to everyone who came out last night to support lance, thank you for your kindness and generous donations #loVe #LV #hawknation pic.twitter.com/xN01XQD60G
— Hawks Nation (@JP_HawksNation) October 14, 2017

All images via Brianna Miller, used with permission