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SHOOTING VICTIM WAS CLASS PRESIDENT AT DERMOTT

By Nicole Brown/of The Commercial Staff
Monday, October 27, 2008 6:28 PM CDT

A former Dermott High School student-athlete was one of two students killed in a shooting Sunday night at the University of Central Arkansas at Conway.

Chavares Block, 19, was a 2007 graduate of Dermott High School and was in his sophomore year at UCA.

Lottie Bunn, counselor a Dermott High School, said they were all in “shock.”

“We see it as a tremendous tragedy that such a promising life could be taken in such a senseless manner,” she said.

“There is just a solemn spirit in the school, like the life has been sucked out of the students,” said Bunn. “We’re in a healing process right now, but we will make it through.”

While a student at Dermott, Bunn said Block excelled academically and athletically.

“He was considered a model student, well-rounded, very respectful and mannerable,” she said.

Block was an advanced honors student, having graduated in the top of his senior class and served as class president. He was also a member of the BETA Club, played football and ran track, and lettered all three years in both sports.

Bunn said Block’s goal was to become an engineer and UCA was the school he had chosen to aide him in reaching that goal.

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