The Burlington community mourns the devastating loss of Eljak Menjwak, an 18-year-old rising senior at Burlington High School whose life ended tragically on a summer afternoon in Bristol, Vermont.
His sudden passing has left family, friends, and the entire school district grappling with profound grief while coming together to honor his memory and support his loved ones.
As a student at Burlington High School, he distinguished himself not only through his intelligence but also through the joy and warmth he brought to everyone around him.
Teachers, peers, and mentors knew him as a bright light whose presence illuminated the halls of his school and touched the lives of all who encountered him.
The Burlington School District has mobilized to provide comprehensive grief counseling and support services for students, families, and staff members affected by Eljak’s death.
Superintendent Tom Flanagan emphasized the district’s commitment to helping the community process this profound loss together.
Burlington High School opened its doors on Monday from 9 a.m. to noon, providing a space where students, families, and staff could access grief support services.
The school’s counseling team, EL department, multilingual liaisons, and administration offered various forms of support, including large group sessions, small group discussions, and one-on-one counseling.
The district extended support to other schools in recognition of Eljak’s family connections throughout the system.
Champlain Elementary School provided support services on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon, while Edmunds Middle School opened on Thursday during the same hours to offer students and staff a space to grieve and reflect on Eljak’s life.
Principal Sabrina Westdijk of Burlington High School released a heartfelt statement acknowledging the deep connections Eljak and his family had formed within the school community.
She described the loss as particularly difficult for both Burlington High School and the Burlington Technical Center, where many knew and loved the family.
Community members also organized grassroots support efforts, including fundraising initiatives to help Eljak’s family during this incredibly difficult time.
Neighbors, friends, and even strangers came together to ease the financial burden on the family as they navigated their grief and the practical challenges that followed such a sudden loss.
Eljak Menjwak’s Accidental Drowning Leads To His Death At A Popular Vermont Swimming Spot
On Saturday, July 20, 2024, around 5:10 p.m., Eljak Menjwak visited Bartlett Falls in Bristol, Vermont, a popular swimming destination along the New Haven River off Lincoln Road.
The 18-year-old made the fateful decision to jump from the falls into the river below, a recreational activity that many young people enjoy during Vermont’s summer months.
Immediately after entering the water, Eljak began struggling and found himself in distress.
Witnesses at the scene recognized the emergency and attempted to help, but bystanders could not reach him or pull him from the dangerous waters.
The situation quickly escalated from a recreational outing to a life-threatening emergency.
Multiple technical rescue teams responded to the scene as word of the drowning spread.
Fire departments, rescue agencies, and emergency personnel mobilized their resources in an urgent attempt to locate and save the young man.
The rescue operation continued for hours as teams searched the river and surrounding areas.
Despite the swift response and extensive efforts by emergency personnel, rescuers recovered Eljak’s body at approximately 8 p.m., three hours after the initial incident.
Medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene. Vermont State Police investigated the incident and determined that his death was not suspicious, ruling it an accidental drowning.
The tragedy struck during what should have been a carefree summer afternoon, transforming a moment of recreation into an unimaginable loss for his family and community.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- His siblings attended various schools throughout the Burlington district, including Burlington High School, Edmunds Middle School, and Champlain Elementary, making his loss felt across multiple school communities.
