COVENTRY TOWNSHIP , Ohio (WJW) — Students in the Coventry School District gathered behind the Community Church of Portage Lakes on Friday night to remember the lives of Abigayle and Adrian Mates.
“We rally around one another. We are a small community,” said middle school Principal Tina Norris.
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The community encouraged one another and lit up candles in their memory.
The siblings died in a fire at their Cove Avenue home earlier this week.
“Abigayle — her friends would describe her as someone who was adventurous, had a great smile, was a really great friend,” said Norris.
Norris said “Abi” was a junior at Coventry High School and only 17 years old.
Her brother Adrian was 15 years old and in ninth grade.
“Adrian was ornery but hilarious. He could change the mood of a room just by walking through it,” said Norris.
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Norris said the loss has deeply affected the entire school district and Coventry Local Schools is providing mental health support now and in the future.