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US teen missing after going overboard on sunset cruise in the Bahamas

Cameron Robbins, 18, went overboard while on a sunset cruise Wednesday night.

A recent high school graduate from Louisiana is missing after going overboard while on a trip to the Bahamas, school officials and the United States Coast Guard said.

Cameron Robbins, who attended University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge, was on a trip with a group of students when he went overboard on Wednesday night, according to school officials.

The incident occurred around 9:40 p.m. local time near the area of Athol Island, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

The 18-year-old "reportedly jumped from a pleasure vessel," the Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a statement.

The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that it was assisting with search efforts for a missing U.S. citizen "believed to have fallen overboard from a sunset cruise near Nassau" on Wednesday. A Coast Guard spokesperson confirmed to ABC News that the search was for Robbins.

The teen fell off the Blackbeard's Revenge sunset cruise ship, the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard provided air assistance in the search and rescue mission, which was being led by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, according to Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Estrada. But on Friday evening, the Coast Guard was informed by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force that they were suspending the "active search efforts" for Robbins "pending further developments" and were no longer requesting assistance from the Coast Guard after notifying Robbins family, according to Lt. Cmdr. John W. Beal.

"We offer our sincerest condolences to Cameron Robbins’ family and friends," Beal said in a statement.

The Coast Guard said Saturday its crews searched more than 325 square miles before concluding its search efforts.

MORE: American tourist attacked by shark in Turks and Caicos, police say

The Bahamas vacation was not a school-sanctioned trip but included students from several high schools in the area, including between 10 and 15 students from the Laboratory School, the school's director, Kevin George, told ABC Baton Rouge affiliate WBRZ in an interview on Thursday.

The school just held its graduation on Sunday.

George described Robbins as a "great kid" and athlete who had been with the school for 13 years, since the start of his education.

"Just one of those kids that you're so proud of once they cross the stage," George told WBRZ.

Students held a prayer circle for Robbins on Thursday morning following news that he was reported missing, holding hands outside the Laboratory School, located on the main campus of Louisiana State University.

"It's a tight-knit family," George said. "The kids reached out to us wanting to know, could they do a prayer circle. Obviously we agreed. We really appreciated their leadership in this trying time."

MORE: Carnival cruise passenger who went overboard was 'dead set' on surviving

Robbins has a sister who is a junior at the school, according to George, who said he spoke to their father on Thursday morning.

"It's just a really emotional time for us right now," George said. "Just trying to send up our prayers and give our support."

"Let's continue to pray and pray that we find Cameron safe and sound," he added.

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Teens tried to stop Cameron Robbins before he jumped off Bahamas cruise, passenger's parent says

The recent high school graduate from baton rouge, louisiana, disappeared in 'shark-infested waters'.

Video of Cameron Robbins in the water after he went overboard on a Bahamas cruise

Cameron Robbins, a Louisiana resident, was celebrating his high school graduation when he was reportedly dared to jump overboard on a cruise.

EXCLUSIVE: A group of students tried to physically stop Cameron Robbins from jumping off a Bahamas cruise ship last week after he was reportedly dared to take the leap, Fox News Digital has learned. 

Robbins, 18, was on Blackbeard's Revenge sunset cruise with several hundred high school graduates from Baton Rouge, Louisiana , and jumped overboard into what authorities called "shark-infested" waters near the uninhabited Athol Island, northeast of Nassau, around 9:30 p.m. on May 24. 

A woman whose son was friends with Robbins and on the boat at the time told Fox News Digital that several students tried to grab Robbins before he took the plunge, but he broke free.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said many of the students were part of a close-knit community that was in shock, disbelief, exhausted and cold as the U.S. Coast Guard , Royal Bahamas Defence Force and United Cajun Navy searched the waters until about 3 a.m. 

HAUNTING LAST WORDS SHOUTED TO BATON ROUGE TEEN AFTER HE WENT OVERBOARD AND VANISHED

Cameron Robbins' last Instagram post from his graduation. (Instagram/Cam_Robbins3)

The small, pirate-lookalike cruise ship was anchored throughout the night, and the students were stuck at sea near the uninhabited island in what Royal Bahamas Defense Force Commodore Raymond King called "shark-infested waters."

Experts have told Fox News Digital there is a vast array of marine life, including dolphins, tiger sharks and bull sharks in those waters that feed off the scraps from the boats. 

BATON ROUGE TEEN STILL MISSING AT SEA AMID SPECULATION ABOUT ‘SHARK-INFESTED’ WATERS

A bag holding baseball equipment hangs outside the home of Cameron Robbins in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Thursday. Robbins, a recent high school graduate and baseball player, went missing after going overboard while on a celebratory cruise in the Bahamas last week, according to reports. (KAR/Mega for Fox News Digital )

"This was a booze cruise, and they were on their way back when this happened," the one student's mother said. "My son texted me when it happened, saying, ‘Cameron jumped off. They can’t find him.' They were out there until 2, 3 in the morning. 

"It was terrible weather that night. The kids were cold, wet and traumatized. The girls were in bikinis and bathing suits. The guys were giving them their shirts. It was a bad time to bring drunk 18-year-olds out into waters near this island where there's nothing."

WATCH THE VIRAL CELLPHONE VIDEO

Cameron Robbins, 18, went overboard during a cruise in the Bahamas while celebrating his high school graduation. (Drew Sutton/Facebook )

The two-day, 325-mile search for Robbins was called off Friday night. "We offer our sincerest condolences to Cameron Robbins’ family and friends," the U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement.

The viral cellphone video of Robbins in the water, which was seen over 10 million times, went through virtually every type of edit on social media after a speculation-fueled narrative that Robbins encountered a shark gripped people's curiosities. 

MADISON BROOKS DEATH: LSU STUDENTS HAILED AS GOOD SAMARITANS AFTER ALLEGED BATON ROUGE RAPE

General view of the Louisiana State University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Thursday. Cameron Robbins, a recent graduate of the school, went missing after going overboard while on a celebratory cruise in the Bahamas last week, according to reports. (KAR/Mega for Fox News Digital )

The video appears to show a shadowy object in the water move toward the recent high school grad, who was swimming toward a life preserver before changing direction. 

However, the cellphone footage is too dark and chaotic to definitively show what happened, and the theory is no longer officially being investigated at the request of Robbins' family, Brian Trascher, spokesperson for the United Cajun Navy, told Fox News Digital on Friday. 

A shadowy object, which people on social media speculated could be a shark, appears to move toward Cameron Robbins after he reportedly jumped overboard from a Bahamas cruise. (Twitter)

Cameron Robbins, right. (Instagram/Cam_Robbins3)

"None of the experts consulted can definitely say what's in the video due to the quality and length of the video," Trascher said. "The Robbins family has requested that we not entertain that theory any longer, so our official position is that we don't know what happened while Cam was in the water."

Authorities officially designated Robbins as "lost at sea," which is the same as a death certificate, and a memorial service for Robbins will be held Sunday at Broadmoor United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge.

LSU DEATH: MADISON BROOKS' LAST TEXT TO MOM, WHO ‘KNEW SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED’

The cruise was not sanctioned by University Laboratory School, where Robbins had just graduated. It was planned by an independent company called GradWeek , which released the following statement to the media last week:

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Robbins Family during this incredibly difficult time. Out of respect for the Robbins family’s privacy, we feel it’s inappropriate to comment on the details surrounding the night of the incident. 

"Bahamian Authorities have been conducting a thorough investigation of the incident and can provide the most accurate information once they have completed their investigation."

WATCH BRIAN TRASCHER'S TUESDAY INTERVIEW ON "AMERICA'S NEWSROOM"

The high school baseball standout graduated from Baton Rouge's U-High on May 21, and his last posts on Instagram include pictures of him surrounded by his family and friends. 

Kevin George, the director of the school, told local news outlet WBRZ that Robbins was a "special kid."

He has "been here throughout his entire educational career. He's an athlete, great kid, great smile, great head of hair. Just one of the kids you're so proud of when they cross the stage," George said.

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Sunday's memorial service will begin at 4 p.m., with visitation hours between 2 and 4 p.m.

In lieu of services, a donation in Robbins' name may be made to Christian Homes & Family Services in Abilene, Texas.

Chris Eberhart is a crime and US news reporter for Fox News Digital. Email tips to [email protected] or on Twitter @ChrisEberhart48.

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U.S. Coast Guard ends search for Louisiana teen who went overboard in the Bahamas

The U.S. Coast Guard has ended their search for a Louisiana teenager who went overboard during a sunset cruise in the Bahamas on Wednesday night.

The agency announced the conclusion of its search for 18-year-old Cameron Robbins, a recent high school graduate, on Saturday after a two-day effort led by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

The agency did not clarify if a body was found.

Robbins was in the Bahamas staying at the Atlantis Paradise resort in Nassau with other teenagers from Baton Rouge to mark their high school graduations, Louisiana State University confirmed Thursday.

Robbins graduated from the University Lab High School, which operates as part of LSU, on Sunday. The trip was not a school sanctioned event, according to LSU.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force contacted the Coast Guard for assistance on Wednesday at 11:30 p.m. after Robbins fell off the Blackbeard's Revenge sunset cruise ship, according to a news release .

"U.S. Coast Guard District Seven deployed multiple search and rescue assets in response to an agency assistance request from our partners in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force," said Lt. Commander Matthew Spado, Coast Guard liaison officer to the Bahamas. "Our Coast Guard command center and aircrews based in Miami supported RBDF search and rescue efforts since the initial report Wednesday evening, and continued through Friday evening."

Search and rescue crews searched more than 325 square miles looking for Robbins.

The active search was suspended by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force pending developments, according to the Coast Guard.

“We offer our sincerest condolences to Cameron Robbins’ family and friends," Spado said.

The agency is encouraging anyone with new information to contact the Coast Guard's District Seven.

Breaking news reporter

Michelle Acevedo is a New York-based senior editor for NBC News.

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A doomed dare and a haunting video: What we know about Cameron Robbins’ cruise ship disappearance

Search efforts for cameron robbins went on for approximately three days before being called off, article bookmarked.

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Cameron Robbins, an 18-year-old high school graduate, has been missing since 24 May, when he fell overboard on a sunset cruise ship into waters near the Bahamas .

Mr Robbins was celebrating his graduation from the University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by taking a trip to the Bahamas with other teenagers when the tragic incident occurred.

The group was aboard Blackbeard’s Revenge, a sunset cruise, on 24 May when Mr Robbins went overboard.

According to reports, Mr Robbins allegedly jumped off the boat on a dare. Video taken of the incident shows Mr Robbins swimming in the waters in almost complete darkness.

Afterwards, the 18-year-old disappeared.

The US Coast Guard and Royal Bahamas Defence Force spent several days searching for Mr Robbings before suspending their search efforts on Saturday, 27 May.

Here’s everything we know about Mr Robbins’ disappearance .

Who is Cameron Robbins?

Cameron Robbins is an 18-year-old boy who recently graduated from high school at University Laboratory School, which operates as part of Louisiana State University, in Baton Rouge.

Mr Robbins played baseball while attending the school, according to reports.

In celebration of graduation, Mr Robbins and other teenagers were on a trip to the Bahamas and staying at the Atlantis Paradise resort in Nassau, Louisiana State University confirmed to NBC News.

The trip was not a school-sanctioned event.

According to a statement from University Lab School Director Kevin George, obtained by local news outlet WAFB , Mr Robbins attended the school for 13 years.

“The University Lab School Community is praying for the best possible outcome of this situation. I have been in touch with Cameron’s family and at this time, authorities are still searching for him in the Bahamas. In times like these, we must come together and support each other. Words fall short of expressing the worry our entire school community is feeling. Extra counselors will be available on campus to speak with students and faculty who are struggling to process this news. Our thoughts are with the Robbins family, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts as well,” Mr George wrote.

The Independent has reached out to University Laboratory School for comment.

What happened?

Mr Robbins and others on the trip were aboard a sunset cruise on a ship called Blackbeard’s Revenge on the evening on 24 May when Mr Robbins was allegedly dared to jump off the boat.

In a statement provided to The Independent, Jonathan Chia, a representative for Pirates’ Revenge Ltd, the parent company of Blackbeard’s Revenge, said Mr Robbins went overboard at approximately 9.40pm local time in Montagu Bay off Athol Island in the Bahamas.

Video captured in the moments after Mr Robbins jumped into the water showed the 18-year-old swimming around the vessel as passengers on the sunset cruise yelled at him.

In the video, individuals can be heard urging Mr Robbins to grab onto the buoy that they threw into the water for him.

Mr Chia said: “The crew executed the ‘man overboard’ protocol in line with all approved safety procedures and company policies to ensure the best chance of retrieving an individual who has gone overboard.”

Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Raymond King said in a video posted to Facebook that the area where Mr Robbins allegedly jumped into, “is an area that is really shark-infested”.

Rumours of the waters being “shark-infested” have not been confirmed by the US Coast Guard.

The Independent has reached out to the US Coast Guard for comment.

What were the search efforts?

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force contacted the US Coast Guard, District Seven around 11.30pm local time to report Mr Robbins had fallen overboard, according to a statement from the Coast Guard. 

"US Coast Guard District Seven deployed multiple search and rescue assets in response to an agency assistance request from our partners in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force,” Lt Commander Mathew Spado, Coast Guard liaison officer to the Bahamas said in the statement.

Mr Chia said Pirates Revenge Ltd worked closely with Bahamian authorities and the Us Coast Guard during the incident and will continue to participate with authorities in the investigation.

For several days, the Coast Guard and Royal Bahamas Defence Force searched the location and waters surrounding the location Mr Robbins had disappeared in using aircrews and search patterns.

After Coast Guard crews searched more than 325 square miles, they concluded their efforts with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force on 27 May.

"We were informed by the RBDF this evening that they were suspending the active search efforts pending further developments, and were not requesting further Coast Guard assistance after notifying the Robbins family. We offer our sincerest condolences to Cameron Robbins’ family and friends,” Mr Spado said in the statement.

A GoFundMe has been started to benefit Mr Robbins’ family as they deal with the aftermath of the difficult situation.

Although searches have ended, the US Coast Guard is asking anyone with new information to contact the District Seven watchstanders at 305.415.6800.

In a statement, Mr Chia said that Pirates’ Revenge Ltd: “Reviewed all safety measures and protocols and are confident that the company’s practices were and continue to be in line with the highest industry standards to keep its passengers safe. With approval from the Bahamian authorities, Pirates Revenge Ltd has resumed operations of its cruise vessel. We would like to thank the crew for their continued professionalism and for expertly performing their duties during the incident.”

“Our deepest condolences to the Robbins family as they go through this difficult time,” Mr Chia added.

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Senior Trip 2023 Unveils Unforgettable Freeport Adventures!

Written by SFDI on July 10, 2023 . Posted in Uncategorized .

It’s time to take a trip down memory lane and relive the incredible Senior Trip that happened  this summer in Freeport, Bahamas ! This incredibly fun trip is where high school seniors from Key West High School, Seminole Ridge High School, Somerset Academy, Jacksonville, and many more came together for an experience of a lifetime and got to celebrate their high school graduation in the most epic way ever. From crazy daytime activities to legendary night parties, this recap will transport you to the unforgettable moments that defined this amazing summer. Let’s go…

Daytime Fun 

When the sun was up, we turned up the fun and had a blast with epic daytime activities. From electrifying pool parties to relaxing beach breaks , every moment was a chance to make memories that would last a lifetime. We experienced the sickest foam parties, splashed around in the pool in the coolest floaties ever (RIP the watermelon), and soaked up the Bahamian sun like pros.

We also let out our competitive side in wild battles for the titles of “Queen of Senior Trip” and “King of Senior Trip,” where friendships were definitely tested and new connections were formed (especially during the pick-up line competition, IFKYK). We cheered our hearts out, supporting our friends and celebrating their epic achievements. There were good vibes all around! 

Nighttime Extravaganza 

Although the daytime activities were truly hype, when the sun set on Freeport, that’s when the fun really escalated during Senior Trip! We hosted the most epic nights imaginable, making it absolutely impossible not to want to party with the squad all night long…

The first night of the program was neon night, and we must say, everyone’s neon fits were absolutely fire. After everyone elevated their looks with glow sticks and neon body paint, the beach became our dance floor, and with the hottest tunes setting the vibe, we spent the most epic first night in paradise ever. 

As the trip continued, we rocked the house at Señor Frog’s, showcasing our school spirit during our “Throwdown for Your College Town” themed night. From the music to the vibes, everything about this night event was perfect (yes, even the bus rides were memorable).

Because the party never stops during a Breakaway Beach senior trip, next up was the amazing “White-Out” party at Port Lucaya. Everyone wore their sickest white fits and danced the night away at one of the most awesome spots in Freeport.

And let’s not forget the crown jewel of our nights: “Gradchella” at Pirate’s Cove, a legendary celebration inspired by the iconic Coachella festival. We experienced mind-blowing moments in true festival fashion , and truly ended an amazing trip in the most epic way possible.

Senior Trip 2023: Thank You for a Great Summer!

It is safe to say that this year’s trips were an absolute dream. To all the graduating seniors who traveled with us, we want to say thank you for trusting us with making this the best experience for you. And, to all the future seniors awaiting their turn, we have a lot of exciting surprises ahead… so, definitely get excited!

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Louisiana teen missing after jumping overboard on a dare on bahamas sunset cruise.

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An 18-year-old boy from Louisiana was celebrating his recent high school graduation during a sunset cruise in the Bahamas Wednesday when he reportedly jumped overboard on a dare, triggering a large-scale search.

Cameron Robbins, who graduated from University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge this past Sunday, was on a trip to the Bahamas with students from several local high schools, staying at Atlantis Paradise Island resort in Nassau, reported the station WAFB.

On Wednesday evening, just four hours after their arrival, Robbins and his friends went on a sunset party cruise.

According to witnesses, around 9:40 p.m., the 18-year-old — who was apparently acting on a dare — took a plunge off the boat into the ocean near Athol Island.

Robbins was last seen splashing in the dark waters a few feet from the boat, before vanishing from view.

The boat, designed to resemble a pirate ship, remained in the area for several hours as crew members tried to find the teen.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force, assisted by the US Coast Guard Southeast, has been searching for the missing teen from the air, but so far without success.

University Lab School Director Kevin George said Robbins attended the school for all 13 years of his education and was a pitcher on the school’s baseball team.

What to know about Cameron Robbins' disappearance

Cameron Robbins, 18, graduated from University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge in May and was on a trip to the Bahamas with students from several local high schools.

According to witnesses, the teen — who was apparently acting on a dare — took a plunge off a party cruise into the ocean near Athol Island at night.

Robbins was last seen splashing in the dark, “shark-infested” waters a few feet from the boat, before vanishing from view.

A chaotic video taken moments after the jump also shows the recent graduate ignoring onlookers’ pleas to grab a buoy.

The party ship remained in the area for several hours while the crew looked for Robbins.

The Coast Guard  called off its own search two days later , after reportedly scouring over 325 square miles.

His younger sister is a junior at the school.

“He’s an athlete, great kid, great smile, great head of hair,” George told the station WBRZ .

“Just one of the kids you’re so proud of when they cross the stage.”

The principal released a statement on behalf of the school, saying that the University Lab School community was praying for Robbins’ safe return.

“I have been in touch with Cameron’s family and at this time, authorities are still searching for him in the Bahamas,” George wrote.

“In times like these, we must come together and support each other. Words fall short of expressing the worry our entire school community is feeling.”

Robbins’ parents arrived in the Bahamas Thursday, when a prayer vigil was held at the resort where their son was staying.

A separate prayer circle for Robbins was held the same day outside his former school in Baton Rouge.

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Shark Seen in Extended Video of HS Graduate Who Disappeared Jumping From Bahamas Ship

Eighteen-year-old high school graduate Cameron Robbins was on a celebratory trip in the Bahamas when he jumped off a ship on May 24, allegedly on a dare. The US Coast Guard called off the search after two days, but Robbins has still not been found. Blurry and dark videos have been circulating on social media, leading many to believe there may have been a shark in the water with the high school graduate from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Blackbeard’s Revenge sunset cruise was northeast of Nassau, near Athol Island, an area that is home to a lot of marine life, including sharks, experts told Fox News. Though these types of incidents occur for different reasons, an estimated one to two people go overboard on a cruise ship each month, a report from Cruise Lines International showed, reported The Points Guy .

More from CafeMom: Florida Girl Fights Off Bull Shark That Bit Her Repeatedly

Investigators are weighing in on reasons why Robbins has not been recovered yet. Some suspect he encountered a shark.

Chilling videos showing Robbins jumping off the ship have been circulating on various social media platforms. Some initially suspected a current could have pulled Robbins away from the ship and the life preserver that was thrown in the water. But others have pointed out a blurry shape in the dark waters that appears to look eerily like a shark, as seen in this video posted by Florida Boy on YouTube.

Royal Defense Force Commodore Raymond King said, “It’s an area that is really shark-infested,” reported Fox News . On the other hand, spokesperson for the United Cajun Navy, Brian Trascher, says nothing is certain at this point.

Trascher told Fox News: "We definitively don't have anything conclusive enough to determine if Cameron Robbins came in contact with any marine life. We are consulting with professors at the LSU Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences for expertise.”

Without a life vest, chances of survival are significantly lower.

King noted in an update that without a life vest, the odds of survival were slim. "The probability of survival decreases significantly, particularly if a person did not have on a life vest and particularly if a person is perceived to be intoxicated,” King said. "It is so unfortunate, but I don't want the family to lose hope.”

Trascher pointed out that the “inclement” weather conditions the night of the incident are another factor that has made it challenging to locate Robbins.

Cruise lines recommend following a few rules to stay safe.

Even though much of the news coverage about cruise ships tends to be negative, there are only rare tragic occurrences. It is reportedly one of the safest forms of travel, per Travel Pulse . But there are important rules to follow to increase your safety and limit accidents while aboard a ship.

The majority of cruise ship related injuries are due to falls, so passengers should use and respect handrails while aboard, advises cruiseline.com . Also, be careful of how much alcohol you consume as that can impair judgment as well as mental and physical abilities.

More from CafeMom: Parents of Girl Who Fell From Cruise Ship Speak Out for the First Time & Place Direct Blame

The teen’s local community is hoping for the best.

The school Robbins graduated from and attended for over 10 years has been holding prayer vigils since he disappeared and has offered counseling to the students at Baton Rouge’s University Laboratory School, per Fox News. A Facebook user who appeared to be a friend of the Robbins' family, Drew Sutton, also posted an update on Facebook asking for prayers for Robbins to be recovered.

Sutton wrote, “Please keep Cameron Robbins and his family in prayer. He's been missing since late Wednesday night in the Bahamas on his senior trip. May god's mercy and peace surround us in this time as we keep hoping Cameron will be found, soon!”

3 high school educators on leave after students left behind on field trip

BARNSTABLE, Mass. (WBZ) - Three high school staff members from Massachusetts may lose their jobs after two students were left behind during a field trip.

The Barnstable School Committee is considering a recommendation to fire Alik and Hope Taylor and Raffaella Almeida. All three high school staff members have been on administrative leave since April, shortly after they took 22 students to a Belle of the Ball event in Boston. The non-profit provides free prom dresses and accessories to students in need.

When the bus left to head back to Barnstable, some 70 miles away, two students were left behind. Workers at the event ended up driving the students home.

After an investigation, the district’s superintendent recommended the Taylors and Almeida be fired.

However, community members have rallied around the educators and pushed to save their jobs, saying this is a teaching moment.

Arianna Roberts, the sister of one of the students left behind, spoke out at a recent school committee meeting.

“I do not think firing them is the right decision at all,” she said. “But I think there needs to be training, and people need to be held accountable for their actions and their mistakes.”

Others have echoed her words, saying they want the school district to provide better training, so this type of incident does not happen in the future.

The Taylors’ daughter says her parents have taken responsibility for what happened and deserve a second chance.

The superintendent says a resolution to the incident will come, but it will take time.

Copyright 2024 WBZ via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved.

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Gateway bowlers cap season with successful trip to national tournament

By: Michael Love Sunday, June 16, 2024 | 11:01 AM

The Gateway boys bowling team competed at the U.S. High School Bowling Foundation’s National Championships on June 8-10 at Leisure Lanes in Lancaster. In front, from left, are assistant coach Tanya Bowman, Kai Jones, Alex Keeling-Oliver, Chase Owens and head coach Joe Bowman. In back are assistant coach Walt Oliver, Josh Zlokas, Landon Lohr, Allon Wallace Jr, and Joey Jurczak.

The Gateway boys bowling team finished fourth overall at the Pennsylvania State Championships in March at Leisure Lanes in Lancaster.

But it wasn’t the final event of the season for the team, which returned to Leisure Lanes on June 8-10 for the U.S. High School Bowling Foundation’s National Championships.

“We didn’t even know what nationals was until we got to the state championship,” Gateway coach Joe Bowman said.

In Pennsylvania, each team that qualified for the state tournament also was invited to compete at nationals.

“They said, ‘Oh, nationals is (at Leisure Lanes) in June.’ So, we figured out what the costs were, and the parents were good about it,” Bowman said.

“The team was all for it. They are a pretty close-knit bunch. We were there from Friday through Monday, so it was a long weekend, but the guys had a lot of fun bowling against some of the best in the country.”

This was the eighth national postseason tournament. In addition to the several Pennsylvania teams in action, there were teams representing Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Louisiana, Kentucky, Florida, Iowa, Alaska, Maryland, Texas, Missouri, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Indiana and Massachusetts.

“We met kids from Alaska and Hawaii, and all over,” Bowman said. “No matter where they were from, being a high school bowler, they are pretty much the same. It is a fraternity of kids who love the game and love to compete. It was a pretty competitive environment, but they were cheering each other on and helping pick others up if they weren’t doing as well. There were numerous 300s, and kids would just go over and congratulate that person. We were on a lane where we bowled against 10 kids from 10 different states.”

The team tournament kicked everything off June 8, and Gateway was one of 51 qualifying teams in the field.

The top 16 teams with the highest pin totals made it out of the qualifying round, which consisted of a pair of traditional team games involving five bowlers from each team and six Baker games for a total of 16 games overall.

Gateway bowlers totaled 2,964 pins for an average game score of 185.3 and a 30th-place finish.

The Gators rolled a Baker-best 210 in their final game of the team tournament.

“You get into the throes of the competition and it just comes down to getting a break here and there and how things go,” Bowman said. “There were different lane conditions than what we experienced at the state level. It had a little bit of a bearing of where we finished. It was a challenge, but we did decent.”

Gateway transitioned to the singles tournament June 9, and sophomore Chase Owens led the team with a 105th-place finish.

Each of the 362 bowlers threw four games in the qualifying round, and the top 150 advanced to the first survivor round June 10.

Owens was 79th after the qualifying round with an 834 series that featured high games of 239 and 228. He slipped a little bit in the next round with a three-game average of 185.3.

“Chase did very well,” Bowman said. “He learned a lot. He was up for the task. He never gets too high or too low. He’s a good student of the game.”

Junior Landon Lohr finished 147th after the qualifying round with a 782 series, just two pins above the cut line.

But he made a move up the ladder in the first survivor round with a three-game average of 198.3 to finish 111th overall.

“He turned his scorecard in at the end of his four (qualifying) games and then he sat and waited for them to post the standings on their website,” Bowman said. “We bowled in the morning, and there were others who bowled in the afternoon, so it was a rather long wait. It was close, but he was just excited to be able to make the cut and move on to the survivor round and still compete. ”

Alex Keeling-Oliver capped a standout high school career at nationals. The lone Gateway senior finished 229th with a 718 four-game series and a high game of 213.

“We told Alex at the beginning of the year that we wanted to give him the fullest season we possibly could,” Bowman said. “It was really cool that he was able to conclude his high school career at nationals.”

Juniors Joey Jurczak, Allon Wallace Jr., Josh Zlokas and Kai Jones also represented Gateway at nationals.

“Nationals was a celebration of talent,” Bowman said. “The tournament director said that it was the best of the best. For us to be included in the best of the best, that was an achievement.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at [email protected] .

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3 high school staffers could lose jobs after 2 students left in Boston on field trip

By Courtney Cole

Updated on: June 11, 2024 / 6:00 AM EDT / CBS Boston

BARNSTABLE - Two Massachusetts high school students were left behind in Boston after a field trip and now three adults could lose their jobs.

The Barnstable School Committee is considering a recommendation to fire the three high school staff members, but some members of the school community on the Cape have been rallying to support the educators.

Educators on leave  

Alik and Hope Taylor and Raffaella Almeida have been on administrative leave since April, shortly after they took 22 students to the Hynes Convention Center for a Belle of the Ball event. The non-profit provides prom dresses and accessories to students in need for free.

 When the bus returned to the Cape, two students were left behind. Belle of the Ball staff ended up driving the students back home. After an investigation, the district's superintendent recommended termination.

Fight to stop firings

At a recent school committee meeting, some members of the community, including the sister of one of the students left in Boston, spoke out against it.

"I do not think firing them is the right decision at all," said Arianna Roberts, the sister of one of the students left behind. "But I think there needs to be training and people need to be held accountable for their actions and their mistakes."

"I hate to think about what the environment for children of color will be in this school district without the presence of Hope and Alik Taylor," said parent Danielle Hill.

The Taylors' daughter says her parents have taken responsibility for what happened and deserve a second chance.

WBZ-TV reached out to the school department for comment. The Barnstable superintendent said she could not comment directly, but added that there is a well-defined process underway in the investigation and it will take time for it to come to a resolution.   

• Barnstable News

Courtney Cole joined WBZ-TV in 2022 as an anchor and reporter after spending four years in Jacksonville, Florida.

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Three Barnstable High administrators may be dismissed after school trip blunder

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of Barnstable School Superintendent Sara Ahern. Three comments attributed to Barnstable School Committee member Andre King were corrected on June 11, 2024.

HYANNIS — Newly graduated Barnstable High School student Ewerton Decastro tearfully spoke on Wednesday at the Barnstable School Committee meeting about two school administrators, Alik Taylor and Hope Taylor, who have been on administrative leave since April 8.

"They were always there and they took me as family," said Decastro, who wore a white T-shirt that read: 'We Support the Taylors.' " Graduation and prom wasn’t the same without them. It felt like a piece was missing for a lot of us."

Alik Taylor is a Project Excel and Dual Enrollment Program Director at the school. Hope Taylor is an associate principal, and Raffaella Almeida is a guidance counselor. All three are currently on leave because they left two students on April 6 at the Belle of the Ball prom dress selection event at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, according to School Committee member Andre King.

Following an investigation, according to King, School Superintendent Sara Ahern recommended dismissal for all three administrators in a letter on May 20.

In a future meeting, said King, the Taylors will have an opportunity to meet with Ahern, along with their attorneys and union representatives. At that time they can submit any evidence they feel could support their reinstatement.

King said he only has information on the Taylors' status, and does not have information about the status of Almeida.

Ahern declined to comment in an email to the Times on May 30, but spoke during the School Committee meeting.

"As a teaching institution and to fulfill our mission, we must put students' academic, social and emotional growth at the center," said Ahern. "There is a well-defined process from investigating thoroughly to whatever an outcome comes to be, by which due process rights are protected."  

Alik Taylor and Hope Taylor declined to comment. The couple has been working at the school since 1995. Almeida did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.

A trip to find prom dresses to wear

According to King, the Taylors and Almeida took 22 high school students on a school bus to Boston to the prom dress event. It was a Saturday. The students were intending to choose dresses for themselves.

Three students also drove to the event in a personal vehicle.

For years, said King, Hope Taylor has held a local annual prom dress drive for students. The trip to Boston is taken each year, he said.

Belle of the Ball , part of the nonprofit Caring Partners Inc., cleans and distributes prom dresses and provides related accessories at no charge to high school junior and senior girls who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend their school’s prom, according to the website.

The return trip to Barnstable

The school bus returned to Barnstable with students on board.

But two were left behind.

Belle of the Ball staff gave rides home to the two students left behind, King said.

Principal Elizabeth Freedman called the three administrators to her office the following Monday, King said. They were informed about the situation and told that an investigation would take place, said King. "They were then placed on administrative leave."

Belle of the Ball staff didn't return emails seeking comment.

Arianna Roberts, an older sister of Shantelle Roberts, 18, one of the students left behind in Boston, said at the Wednesday School Committee meeting that she doesn't advocate firing but that the administrators need to be held accountable.

"There's a way to remedy this with compassion, training and a way to not hurt the community," said Arianna Roberts. "But it's unacceptable to leave two young girls in the city by themselves."

Shantelle Roberts declined to comment to the Times.

'Out of the kindness of their heart'

About 100 people showed up to the School Committee meeting, many wearing 'We support the Taylors' T-shirts.

"They don’t do things for people to pat them on the back. They do things out of the kindness of their heart," said Barnstable coach Rone Ferguson. "No one is perfect. Mistakes happen."

Maria DaLuz Reid, a retired Barnstable art teacher, said she's watched the Taylors make a difference in the lives of students over the last 30 years.

Lucy Teixeira, 25, moved to the Cape in 2014 from Boston. For a multitude of reasons, Teixeira told the Times over the phone, she had a hard time finishing high school. It was only because of the Taylors, she said, that she graduated.

"They easily could have just let me drop out." said Teixeira. Teixeira spoke to the Times by phone because she said she was unable to attend the School Committee meeting.

'Retain educators of color'

Danielle Hill, a 30-year-resident of Barnstable and a parent, said at the School Committee meeting that she's concerned that the loss of the Taylors will contribute to the health and safety of students of color at the school.

“In order to maintain the right trajectory, we need to retain educators of color," said Hill.

There are 8.5 African American teachers at the high school, and 15.5 Black teachers in the entire district, according to state records. In contrast, the agency reports that roughly 50% of students at the high school identify as non-white .

Former School Committee member and teacher Debra Dagwan of Hyannis said she and other Black professionals helped recruit Black teachers in the 1980s and 1990s along with former high school history teacher and human and social rights activist John Reed , and George Spivey of Falmouth .

But many of those teachers have since retired, said Dagwan. And others have "been done away with," she said. "You have tough decisions to make but we have to change and find a way to hold on to those teachers to be more diversified."

NAACP Cape Cod President Lynne Rhodes said the local chapter worked with the Barnstable school system and other schools on the Cape in the 1970s and early 1980s to increase the number of teachers of African descent.

In a statement, Rhodes told the Times that Ahern has shown a pattern of dismissing Black teachers and staff, and teachers and staff of color, bypassing diversity equity and Inclusion committees and progressive discipline processes.

"The message is being sent to other Black and brown employees to stay quiet, otherwise their careers will be destroyed," Rhodes said.

During the School Committee meeting, Ahern said her record stands for itself.

"I’d like to think that I’ve proven during my time to be measured and thoughtful," said Ahern.

Daughter asks for leniency

Tanaya Taylor, the Taylor's daughter, asked School Committee members for leniency for her parents.

"My parents are taking responsibility for what they've done," said Tanaya Taylor. "They continue to dedicate their time to this community."

She asked committee members to consider what would happen to their family and community members if they were dismissed.

Rachael Devaney writes about community and culture. Reach her at  [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter: @RachaelDevaney.

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(Under) Sea Change: Virtual Reality and Aquatic Exploration

Caroline Chang ’24 never imagined that her senior year at Bentley would include close-up encounters with green sea turtles, southern stingrays and other fascinating aquatic creatures that dwell in the coastal waters of the Bahamas.  

But that’s exactly what the double major in Management (with a concentration in Entrepreneurship) and Liberal Studies: Earth, Environment and Sustainability experienced in her Oceanography (NAS 340) course this fall. Fully immersed in the crystalline waters of the Caribbean Sea, Chang watched in wonder as a sea turtle swam through the undulating leaves of a seagrass meadow and a stingray glided by overhead, showing off its sleek white underbelly. Making these aquatic encounters even more remarkable? She experienced them from the comfort of her Bentley classroom — no plane ticket, passport or swimsuit required.

Instead, Chang and her fellow Falcons were able to explore diverse marine environments by donning virtual reality (VR) headsets and engaging with fully immersive, 360-degree digital videos produced by Betsy Stoner , an assistant professor of environmental science. The videos — created with footage filmed in south Florida and the Bahamas, where Stoner conducts much of her research — mark the first time in Bentley’s history that a VR experience produced entirely by university faculty and staff has been used for classroom instruction. “The coolest thing about it was the feeling of being there in person,” Chang says of the experience. “I felt like I was scuba diving and had a front-row seat to all of the action!”

And that, says Stoner, is precisely the point. For the past three years, she’s brought Bentley students to the Bahamas through “ From Shore to Sea: Understanding Caribbean Ecosystems & Their Services ” (NAS 3900), a research-focused international course she developed in partnership with the university’s Cronin Office of International Education . The experience offers students a powerful, firsthand look at how human-initiated impacts — including climate change, overfishing and industrial pollution — threaten the island nation’s coastal ecosystems and the lives and livelihoods of Bahamians who depend upon them. Providing hands-on learning activities “helps students engage more deeply and meaningfully with the course material than they ever could with a textbook,” Stoner explains. But since she can’t bring every student to the Caribbean, she opted for the next best thing: bringing the Bahamas back to Bentley through VR-mediated undersea explorations. 

RELATED: Prof. receives NSF grant to explore ‘ecological memory’ in Bahamas

The videos were created as part of a multi-year, National Science Foundation grant Stoner and colleagues from Florida International University (FIU) and the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) received to study the role of “ecological memory” in sub-tropical seagrass beds. Stoner enlisted Bentley colleagues Jon Ericson , an associate professor of Experience Design (XD), Steve Salina ’91 , principal engineer for instructional media and Gaurav Shah , senior director of Bentley’s Academic Technology Center (ATC) and User Experience Design, to help film and edit the videos, which Salina produced using Warp VR, an all-in-one creator platform for immersive learning.  

The research team wrote scripts for a series of videos that explore three distinct marine environments — mangroves, seagrasses and hard-bottom habitats — and reveal fascinating facts about each, from the peculiar (nutrients in fish urine are essential for maintaining the health of coral reefs) to the profound (seagrass, the only flowering plant that blooms underwater, is a natural climate change combatant due to its ability to sequester, or store, high levels of carbon).  

Stoner also received project support from Bentley’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion through an IDEA Innovation Grant , which provides funding for programs and initiatives that foster cross-cultural dialogues and enhance learning focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). As Stoner explains, “Countries in the Global South, such as the Bahamas, contribute minimally to global climate change but feel the effects of it more acutely, through intensified storms and sea level rise, than countries in the Global North,” a concept known as climate injustice. The Bentley grant made it possible for the team to interview a local conch fisherman in the videos, she explains, noting that first-person accounts like these help students better understand how “marginalized communities, including those that live along coasts and rely heavily on natural resources like conch, are disproportionally affected by climate change and the loss of those resources.”  

Beyond the content featured, immersive VR experiences like Stoner’s can also address educational inequities. As Chang observes, “Incorporating VR in the classroom gives all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status, the ability to virtually travel the world and experience other cultures and environments. It helps make valuable educational experiences more accessible in schools where resources are limited, and field trips or site visits aren’t always feasible.” That’s one reason why Stoner and her co-researchers have made the videos available via their own website and through Warp VR; to date, educators in other states, including Alabama and Florida, have used the modules in courses for high school and college students.  

Through a longstanding partnership Stoner has with Friends of the Environment , a Bahamas-based nonprofit dedicated to environmental education and conservation, the researchers will also help residents and visitors learn about the islands’ ecosystems. The organization, which offers afterschool programs, summer camps and other STEM-based educational activities for Bahamian youth, will feature the videos as a permanent exhibit in its new Exploratorium.  

“We’re always looking for new and exciting ways to get people interested in and excited about issues of biodiversity and conservation,” says Olivia Patterson-Maura, deputy director of Friends of the Environment. “The VR experience will offer more opportunities for learning about nearshore habitats, particularly for those with different learning styles and physical abilities who may not be able to access them otherwise.”  

The fully immersive medium, Patterson-Maura adds, will also help students learn about the importance of preserving marine ecosystems in a fun and interactive way. “An important part of what we do is fostering personal connections with the environment,” she says of the organization. “We find that students involved in our programs are more likely to participate in other environmental activities and become more engaged and informed citizens. What’s more, their actions have a positive, trickle-down effect on their families and friends.”  

Chang agrees. “The immersive experience that VR offers creates a deeper connection between students and the material they’re learning about,” she says. “For example, we all know that global warming is harming our planet, but these videos allow students to see with their own eyes the damaging effects of climate change on marine ecosystems.

“For a topic as important as ecological change in the 21st century,” Chang continues, “finding a way to get students invested in the material is essential for motivating them to initiate changes — both as individuals and business leaders — that will have a positive impact on the planet.”  

RELATED: Students explore VR learning through Meta’s University Program

Related: research indicates vr can increase public support for wind energy.

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Up to 19 Olentangy Liberty varsity baseball players suspended following Georgia trip

Most of the Olentangy Liberty High School varsity baseball team was suspended for underage drinking violations following a weeklong spring break trip to a Georgia sports camp the week before Easter, ruining what was to have been a promising season and leaving parents to question who was supervising them.

According to students and five sets of parents, as many as 19 of 24 players were suspended from either future games and/or school following the trip to Baseball Village, part of the LakePoint Sports complex in Emerson, Georgia.

One parent called the week "a drunken drug fest" with no accountability by coaches. The head coach was not disciplined for alcohol violations but received a written warning for a separate issue since the trip, The Dispatch learned.

None of the parents wanted to be named, fearing retaliation against their children from coaches or other players.

More: Central Ohio high school baseball preview: Olentangy Orange adjusts; 12 players to watch

Olentangy school official initially denied Dispatch's requests for records, citing federal privacy laws

The Dispatch recently requested disciplinary records of Liberty students who violated the district's alcohol abuse policies during the week in Georgia, along with complaints from parents or students about the team's coach, Ty Brenning, who also teaches history and social studies at Liberty High School.

Olentangy Local School District Treasurer Ryan Jenkins, who is responsible for public records requests, initially refused to release even redacted student records for that week, citing federal student privacy laws. He later released Liberty's discipline log for the entire month of March, which indicated 14 student code violations for "Narcotics, Alcoholic Beverages and Drugs" resulting in "out-of-school" suspension.

The 14 incidents would be suspensions from school and not from games, possibly explaining the discrepancy.

While names, dates and other data are redacted, the log lists six seniors, five juniors and three sophomores from Liberty High School.

The district also released a copy of an April 1 email from Darin Meeker, Liberty's athletic director, to unnamed parents of the "Varsity Baseball Team" to inform them that the high school's administrative team had held one-on-one meetings with varsity players to discuss "concerns relating to possible violations of the Athletic Code of Conduct during last week's Spring Break trip." Also attached was at least one response from what is presumed to be a parent asking to speak with Meeker.

Christian Ross, the district's communications director, previously confirmed only that students were disciplined, but he refused to say how many, for what or to provide other specifics.

"There was disciplinary action taken for violations of the student code," he said. "But as far as specifics, I'm not able to provide them to you."

District officials denied The Dispatch's requests to interview Brenning, Meeker and Principal Michael Starner.

The decimated Liberty Patriots varsity team lost six consecutive games April 2-18, being outscored 71-29. It has rebounded since April 16, winning five of six games.

Last year, the team's record was 27-4. The team won the state Division I championship in 2018.

Olentangy Liberty parents describe 'a drunken drug fest' in Georgia the week before Easter, leading to hospitalization

One of the parents told The Dispatch that their son was not involved in the violations but became concerned that the school, specifically Brenning and his assistant coaches, blamed only the students and took no responsibility for chaperoning them or checking in with them during the trip to Georgia.

The team stayed at a Tru By Hilton about a 15-minute drive from the sports complex. Buses shuttled them back and forth. Parents were encouraged to stay at other hotels.

In an email to The Dispatch, a parent described "a drunken drug fest where 19 kids served suspension (after their return) and the coaches faced no dismissal or any visible punishment for that matter."

Said another parent: "It does very much feel like kids are being blamed and we (administrators) don't want this to get out. … Let's just be quiet and let it go away."

Two parents said they were forced to hire attorneys to appeal their child's punishment, including threats of expulsion, during hearings with school administrators.

The most excessive partying occurred during what parents were told was to be a team-building event on Thursday, March 28. Miniature golf or bowling were discussed.

"We thought that they were going putt-putting with the coaches," the parent said. But Brenning instead flew back to central Ohio, reportedly to attend his daughter's volleyball game.

The most serious alcohol use left many kids sick, the parent said. One of the students was taken to a local hospital, reportedly after taking too many THC gummies, parents have learned.

Olentangy Liberty baseball coach Ty Brenning garners criticism from parents, documented warning from administrators

Brenning held a meeting with parents a few days after their return, placing blame on the students, according to those who attended.

"I don't remember the words 'I'm sorry' come out of his mouth," the parent of a player said. "Usually, these things happen top down. So, I was surprised that no one was held responsible."

Administrators regard the care of students on such trips to be their highest priority. Some have gone so far as to apply tape to the outside of students' doors to deter misconduct and mingling with others.

Brenning, who became head varsity coach in 2011 , said in pre-season comments on the team's Facebook page: "Leadership keeps improving every single day and there are a lot of hungry athletes who are waiting to get on the field."

Parents say leaderships should have concerned themselves with more than baseball drills and box scores.

"I think there should be consequences, and I’m doing my part to prevent them from just sweeping it under the rug," the parent said in an email to The Dispatch.

Brenning did receive a "documented warning" but not for violations during the Georgia trip.

According to his personnel file, he "admitted to letting his emotions get the better of him when a suspended baseball player laughed, gyrated body parts, and ineffectively participated in a team meeting."

In an April 24 letter to Brenning from Meeker and Starner, the warning came "in the wake of the recent baseball trip, where a number of players were suspended from school and baseball for violations of the student handbook and athletic code of conduct." Brenning also agreed to leadership counseling with a consultant.

This is not the district's only recent coaching controversy. In March, Liberty High School's hockey coach and two assistants resigned after complaints that they used abusive language and tactics.

[email protected]