A tragedy of epic proportions rocks the Montevideo school district - Fourth grader drowns during swimming event in Granite Falls

The Montevideo school district will be searching for answers as they come to grips with the following tragedy. Details are outlined below in a statement by Superintendent David Baukol, from the Montevideo School District website: http://www.montevideoschools.com/

"On Friday, April 3rd, 2009, the students of Sanford Elementary in Montevideo were at the Kilowatt Center in Granite Falls for a swim outing as part of a reward day for AR and AM performance. During the afternoon, one of the 4th grade students, Eddie Ojer, was found underwater. He was removed from the water and CPR was begun at the center. Paramedics were called but attempts to revive Eddie at the site were not successful. He was transported by ambulance to the Granite Falls hospital. A helicopter then transported him to the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

On Sunday, April 5, 2009, school district officials were notified by HCMC that Eddie had passed away. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Eddie's family and friends.

Montevideo schools will be in session on Monday. Counselors and social workers will be at the schools to help students, parents and staff."

Montevideo is a member of the West Central South Conference, of which the Jaguars were also members for 11 seasons from 1989-1999. Current Montevideo Middle School principal Chad Pederson is a former B-B-E science teacher (1994-1998) and coach.