RUMFORD – A quickly formed crisis team helped Mountain Valley High School students deal with the death of a 2003 graduate and the critical injuries of a current junior early Monday morning .

Cory Bouthot, 19, of Mexico was killed Saturday night in a one-car crash on Morrison Hill in Dixfield. Monica Chenard, 16, of Rumford is in critical condition at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. She was flown by helicopter to the hospital Saturday night.

High school Principal Bruce Lindberg said two social workers, all five of the district’s guidance counselors, a nurse and nurse practitioner and a mental health worker were available in nine offices throughout the day to counsel the “goodly number of students” who chose to visit.

The high school staff met with the crisis team prior to beginning their daily classes.

Lindberg said he began the day with an announcement about the weekend tragedy at the beginning of the first period, then made three more updates on Chenard’s condition throughout the day.

“We wanted to get accurate information out as timely as possible, to prevent rumors,” he told the SAD 43 board Monday night.

He will continue with updates during school on Tuesday, as necessary.

Students will be excused from classes on Wednesday for Bouthot’s 11 a.m. funeral provided parents give permission. Visiting hours are 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Meader & Son Funeral Home in Rumford. Plans are also in place for substitutes to fill in for teachers who want to attend the funeral.

Lindberg said Bouthot was “the spiritual leader” of the Mountain Valley High School football team where he was a leader and a popular player. A younger brother attends the high school.

Chenard is a varsity cheerleader, makes good grades and is a student leader, he said.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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