WATERLOO, Iowa — Students and staff at Hoover Middle School gathered for an emotional day as they remembered one of their own with a special balloon launch. Emmanuel De Leon, an eighth-grade student, tragically died in a crash while vacationing in Kenya last month.
His brother, Kairo Winkelpleck, a first grader at Royal Legacy Christian Academy, also died in the crash. Their sister, a junior at West High School, remains hospitalized in Kenya.
School leaders wanted to honor Emmanuel in a memorable way for the students. Hoover Middle School Principal Tom Harskamp said, “He was a leader. Very calm and caring. People looked up to him and he was involved in a lot and impacted a lot of different people. The ripple effect of the impact of Emmanuel De Leon will go a long ways.”
A GoFundMe for the family has raised more than $48,000 toward their $50,000 goal. Donations can still be made by clicking HERE.