Teen who
died in skiing accident was model student, son
By Tammy Fonce-Olivas / El Paso
Times
Article
Launched: 02/06/2007 12:00:00 AM MST
The
The eighth-grader at the
Braden is the son of Gary Aboud, a
lawyer in private practice, and Cindi Hahn Aboud, a business owner.
Braden's funeral will be at 1 p.m.
Thursday.
"The Aboud
and Hahn families gratefully acknowledge the outpouring of prayers and
condolences shared by Braden's classmates, teammates, teachers, family members,
and friends and ask that you continue your prayers in his memory," the Aboud family said in a written statement. "Braden's
smile and spiritual outlook on life is an inspiration to every parent and child
and we are certainly blessed to have shared his brief, but love-filled
life."
Lincoln Middle School Principal
Sandy Whitney said she learned about the tragedy Sunday. She said she
immediately began planning how to tell students about the tragedy and how to
help them cope with his death. She called an assembly for eighth-graders Monday
morning in which she told Braden's peers about his death and about the
counseling services available to help them through the grieving process. She
said six counselors from neighboring schools assisted the
Students were also given the chance
to express their grief by writing messages for Braden on butcher paper posted
on three walls near the school's cafeteria.
"We really made sure the kids understood we were doing
everything to help them through the grieving process. ... We used our share of
Kleenex, there is no question, but it was in a very supportive
environment," Whitney said.
The messages on the butcher paper
will be shared with Braden's parents, she said.
"It will let them know how respected and loved their
son was."
Whitney said Braden was a member of the football team, a
former basketball player, a member of the National Junior Honor Society and a straight-A
student.
"I've known the family for a long time," Whitney
said. "Braden had a wonderful positive attitude about everything. He had a
great smile. One of his talents was that he made friends with kids very
easily."
Gary Aboud
said in a written statement that his son "was the greatest son a father or
mother ever had."
Also in a statement, Cindi Hahn Aboud described Braden
as a role model "who lit up the room with his personality." "He
didn't know a stranger and he always knew that God was in control of his
life," the statement continued.
Braden's parents said he died
participating in one of his favorite activities -- skiing at Ski Apache. He was skiing with family and friends Sunday
in Apache Bowl when he fell on the snow during a run. He stood up, put his skis
back on and finished his run, meeting his 14-year-old cousin and a friend at
the base of the mountain. After telling them he wasn't feeling well, the boys
got help from the ski patrol. Braden was then airlifted to Thomason.
Ski Apache
spokesman Justin Rowland said officials at the resort investigated the
accident. They found that Braden was
skiing on an intermediate run when he fell on the snow. "He got back up
and went about another 80 yards or so and collapsed," Rowland said. Braden,
who had signs of a head injury, was assisted by ski patrol and airlifted to
Braden is
survived by his parents; his sister, Avery; his grandparents Larry and Val Hahn
and Abdou and Clare Aboud;
and numerous other relatives.
Tammy Fonce-Olivas may be reached at tfonce@elpasotimes.com;
546-6362.
El Paso Times reporter Gustavo Reveles
Acosta contributed to this story.
Skiing safety tips
Some skiing safety tips offered by www.abc-of-skiing.com:
· Make sure you are in good shape. There
is a much lower risk of getting injured and you will not get tired easily if
you are physically fit before skiing.
· Take several ski lessons from a
competent ski instructor.
· Acquire the appropriate skiing
equipment. Check if your gear is in fine condition, especially the ski
bindings. Have them adjusted correctly at a ski shop.
· Wear a ski outfit that can resist wind
and water.
· The sun's rays and glare can impair
your vision. Wear sunglasses or goggles so you can clearly see the terrain.
Funeral arrangements
· Funeral services for Braden are set
for 1 p.m. Thursday at
· Burial will follow at