The Pacific Islander community in Federal Way near Seattle is mourning the loss of one of its own, reports KING5.
Allen Harris, 16, died of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition that makes it hard for the heart to pump blood, according to Q13.
Harris was an active member in Federal Way High School’s Pacific Islander Club.
“When he started practicing with us, he fell in love with the culture, fell in love with the family atmosphere we created. He became a brother – not just a student, but a brother to all of us,” Mane Tuiaana, director of the Pacific Islander Club, told KING5.
The Seattle Times reports Harris is the youngest of eight grandchildren.
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Teammates earlier this week organized a vigil to mourn Harris’ death.
“We’re still in shock,” his aunt, DonYeta Villavaso-Madden said to the Seattle Times, after the 90-minute ceremony. “I wake up crying … it’s unbelievable.
“When I hear all of these stories of who Allen was, he maybe said three words around me,” his aunt said as the audience laughed.
“I know that his presence was always felt. He may have been the quietest kid, but everybody knew he was there. His presence, his humor, his life, but his heart and love for everyone,” said Tuiaana.
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