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Shoals students remember classmate with memorial

By Josh Ault  bio|e-mail

CENTRAL, AL (WAFF)  Grief counselors spent the day at a Shoals school mourning a teenager who died while swimming in the Tennessee River.

The teen died while swimming with friends Saturday near Waterloo.

Frank Graham was junior at Central High School. 

This morning all the juniors were gathered together to talk about Frank's death.

Monday was a very difficult day to return to class at Central High School. 

Seeing an empty desk and knowing that your fellow classmate will never return is painful.

"It's been tough this morning," said David Corl, Central High School Principal, "It's been very tough."

A special memorial for Frank Graham was made in the hallway a CHS. 

Graham had been a student there since 7th grade.

The memorial was a place for friends to write messages, and remember what a great friend he was.

"He was a very good student," said Nena Dial, one of Frank's teachers.

"He had a genuine loving smile," said Dial, "He had a very good heart."

Graham's death has been especially hard on his classmates who were with him when he drowned.

"There were 6 kids that were there," said Corl, "We have sent all of them home."

Corl said counselors and ministers have been brought in to help any students who need help grieving. 

He just hopes everyone will remember what a great person Frank was.

"Frank was always happy," said Corl, "Always in a good mood, never was a disciplinary problem, never got in trouble."

"It will be a hard week," added Dial, "I think we'll all be able to get through it if we stay together."

Saints Funeral Home in Sheffield will be handling Graham's funeral. 

Graham had one younger brother at Central who is in the 7th grade.

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