Counselors on hand at Port Washington H.S. as freshman return

PORT WASHINGTON -- Counselors were on hand Tuesday, September 4th at Port Washington High School, as the freshman class headed back to school for the year. Students are grieving the loss of 15-year-old Tyler Buczek. Buczek was swimming with friends in Lake Michigan over the weekend when he went under and never resurfaced.

Monday, September 3rd, officials suspended the search for Buczek indefinitely, saying officers would continue to patrol the shore (as is protocol), but any large-scale search efforts would end at nightfall.

Buczek served as the quarterback for the school's freshman football team. Friends say he was valedictorian for last year's eighth-grade class at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.

Hundreds filled Upper Lake Park Monday night, holding candles and one another. This, following two days of searching Lake Michigan.

"It's a real small community and everyone knows one another. It's just tough and my heart goes out to them," Port Washington Fire Chief Mark Mitchell said.

School officials opened the school's doors Monday afternoon for those who wanted to talk to counselors and each other.

"We provided support with each other, students and parents and also support from our guidance counselors and school psychiatrists, staff, administration. We're there for each other," Port Washington High School Principal Eric Burke said.

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