Hundreds gathered at Harrison High School Tuesday night to grieve for a pair of student leaders whose lives were cut short Monday in a tragic swimming accident.

The drowning deaths of varsity soccer captain Victorino DeJesus Martinez, 18, and cross country runner Juan Neri Seguro, 18, in Prospect Lake during a picnic shocked their classmates, teachers and administrators, who silently marked their passing at a candlelight vigil.

Few of the teens’ peers were able to speak, and sobs could be heard during a moment of silence. A few students held large banners with photos of Seguro and Martinez and messages written in English and Spanish.

Much of Juan Neri Seguro’s extended family came from Estancia, N.M., for the vigil. He was the “little baby” of 12 siblings, said his sister, Maria Carmen Neri. She described her brother as helpful and responsible.

“He went into the water to try to save his best friend,” Maria Carmen Neri said. “He was very loving and he was a really good person.”

Seguro wanted to be a mechanic and hoped to open his own shop with his nephew,

Neither spoke very much English when they arrived at Harrison three years ago, but both boys were vocal about their intention to graduate in the spring, said Principal Cheri Martinez, who is not related to Victorino.

It was a notable goal in a school district with a 65 percent graduation rate, the lowest among large districts in the Pikes Peak region according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

“If there is anything you can do for Juan and Victorino, you can value your life and value your education,” Cheri Martinez told the crowd.

Harrison staff members met early Tuesday to discuss the tragedy and map out ways to help the teens’ classmates. As classes began, soccer team members were called to a meeting with coaches and told there would be no game Tuesday night against Falcon. The players also will not play in a game at Sheridan High School later this week.

“They were real, real quiet,” said school athletic director Dave Hogan. “They were told of the deaths Monday. But I don’t think it has sunk in yet. We thought it best that they should not play with all the emotions they are having. They are showing everything: anger, depression, sadness.”

Five crisis counselors from around the district were at the school Tuesday to help students cope with the deaths.

Martinez moved to the U.S. about three years ago and was leader of the defensive squad, said soccer coach Brian Jewell, tears in his eyes.

“When I think of him, he was a short kid who played so big. Everyone could count on him.” He paused before adding, “He scored his first varsity goal Thursday.”

Other teachers who knew the youths well also fought back tears as they painted pictures of two seniors who struggled and overcame obstacles to succeed.

Both worked hard to become fluent in English. They also overcame shyness to be embraced by friends and teachers in the Harrison community.

Jillian Donahue, an English language teacher, had Martinez for about two hours a day for the past three years.

“You always knew when he was in the room. His personality just shined. He was a good student and was excited about graduating.”

She recalled Martinez taught her how to dance la cumbia.

Another English language teacher, Carrie Brockway, talked about Seguro. “All I have been thinking all night about his big smile,” she said.

Brockway said when he first arrived at school, he was nervous and shy.

He wasn’t a morning person.  For a while he was late coming to class. He’d sneak in and sit behind his computer and pretend he’d been there all along and then give her a big grin.

Soon he broke out of his shell, helping others in the classroom.

“Victorino and Juan were both my teachers, my dictionary,” Brockway added. “I was so excited when I first saw Juan at a football game, comfortable with being part of the community.”

MEMORIALThere will be a memorial service for the two teens 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 2715 E. Pikes Peak Ave.District 2 officials have set up a memorial fund to help the families with funeral expenses. To contribute, send checks payable to Harrison High School, attention JJ Jenney, 2755 Janitell Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906. In the check’s memo field note Juan/Victorino Memorial Fund.

Tekia Asquith, center holding candles, Teresa Ordaz, and Brianna Aquilar, right, join a couple hundred friends and family during a vigil at Harrison High School Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010, for Harrison High School seniors Victorino DeJesus Martinez and Juan Neri Segura who drowned in Prospect Lake on Monday. Photo by CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE

Christian murdock

Harrison students Jhoana Sagrero, left, Uliseis Meza and Norma Leon mourn the loss of their friends during a vigil at Harrison High School Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010, for Harrison High School seniors Victorino DeJesus Martinez and Juan Neri Segura who drown Photo by CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE

Christian murdock