South Allegheny community mourns student’s tragic death

A GoFundMe account has been set up to assist the family of 15-year-old Isaiah Katana.

Once a Gladiator, always a Gladiator.

The South Allegheny School District is mourning the sudden loss of one of its students.

The district released a statement saying that sophomore Isaiah Katana died Wednesday after experiencing a seizure March 26.

“Despite receiving the best possible care at Children’s Hospital, he never regained consciousness and passed away this morning,” the statement read.

His mother, Jen Ingram, shared the district’s statement on social media.

“I cannot even begin to describe the amount of love this boy had for his school district,” she wrote. “There were very few people that I trusted in Isaiah’s care and never once have I questioned whether or not they were worthy of his education/ care. Thank you South Allegheny for always making my boy feel like the true Gladiator he was.

“He truly loved going to school. He has loved and is loved by all faculty/staff/peers. … Isaiah loved gym class so much in school and quite often talked about becoming a gym teacher. His interest was not with the actual PE aspects of the field, but more so the desire to run and play like a big kid in his future career.”

Superintendent David McDonald said Isaiah had a special bond with teachers, classmates and fellow members of the PE Partners program.

“On Wednesday, his last day of school before the seizure, Isaiah could be seen and heard laughing joyfully during a classroom activity celebrating the arrival of spring,” McDonald said. “This joyful moment is a testament to the kind of vulnerable spirit that Isaiah brought to our school each day.

“Isaiah’s presence made us all kinder and more protective, both of him and one another. His unique light touched the lives of so many in our school and our community and we are heartbroken by this loss.”

In a separate post shared by Isaiah’s mother, she said her son was a 15-year-old who fought a long battle with epilepsy and autism.

She said he was a proud “Swifty” — a fan of singer Taylor Swift —and a bright shining light on a dark stormy day. She added that Isaiah loved to swim, travel and visit amusement parks and lived life to the fullest.

“He touched everyone’s heart with his silly wit and easygoing personality,” she wrote. “Though 15-years-old, he was somewhat like an oversized toddler at heart. He loved playing with his toy train tracks in the bedroom and watching his favorite animated cartoons. Isaiah taught all of those around him that being different does not make you anymore less and that being yourself will never make you any less loved.”

She said her son had a great sense of humor.

“(It) filled the air with laughter without even trying to be funny,” she wrote. “He was also the type to obey the rules and laws, definitely your hall monitor type.”

He loved hugs and “booping” those close to him affectionately on their noses.

When a vacation was planned, he would eagerly count down the days until his next adventure.

Isaiah enjoyed practical jokes and liked to “jump scare” friends and family by shouting “boo!” when they least expected it.

“He would shout as he visibly approached you from the front,” his mother said. “Isaiah loved asking questions to answers he already knew in hopes you’d playfully answer wrong so he could correct you.”

He was known to never turn down a slice of pizza.

Isaiah, his mother said, loved his family deeply, especially his siblings.

“He even had the privilege of naming his baby sister,” his mother said. “Creating a bond with Isaiah was effortless as he set no expectations to gain his friendship. All were welcomed by him. Isaiah was not one ounce materialistic, he didn’t care for name brand clothes or shoes because things like that held absolutely no value over a person’s true colors. He was reminded every day how much he was loved.”

Isaiah was an organ donor. “Isaiah’s final gift was leaving us as a hero, as his family donated his organs to help others,” the district stated. “As we grieve this loss, let us remember the impact Isaiah had on all of us. He will always be a cherished member of our South Allegheny community and his memory will live on in our hearts.”

An honor walk will be held at 8 a.m. today at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Room 507 PICU.

Those planning to attend are asked to arrive by 7:30 a.m.

“I’m kind of sad that this will be done (in the) morning hours when so many of his beloved teachers and peers are in class, I know he would have loved having you all walk beside him,” his mother wrote.

Arrangements have not been finalized, but will be announced in the coming days.

A GoFundMe has been created in his memory to help his family, with $4,600 raised Wednesday night.

To donate, go to https://gofund. me/d5b475d5.