Wauwatosa East mourns death of classmate Davion 'Sugar Bear' Crawford

Students from all grade levels at Wauwatosa East High School filed into the gymnasium shortly before 8:45 a.m. Nov. 20.

Many of the students wore red T-shirts with the words "TE 4 DC" printed on the front. "TE," of course, stood for Tosa East and "DC" stood for junior Davion Crawford, a 6-foot-5, 275-pound athlete for the Red Raiders.

Crawford, a football lineman, basketball player and a track and field discus thrower for the school, died Nov. 17 following complications related to leukemia.

School officials said Crawford's leukemia was first discovered by doctors this fall after he sustained a concussion while playing on the school's football team.

Students react to loss

Crawford's classmates were determined to remember Crawford and stand together as a student body — in a way that Crawford himself would have led the school for another student had he still been alive, said Principal Nick Hughes.

"He had a mature approach," Hughes said of Crawford. "He was the glue that held his family together. He was an old soul."

Students remembered Crawford as a caring and quiet young man.

"We called him 'Sugar Bear' because he was super nice and super sweet," said 17-year-old Taysion Crape, a friend and teammate of Crawford's, who started school in the Wauwatosa School District in fall 2014 after transferring from a school in the Milwaukee Public Schools.

"I talked to him the first day," Crape said. "We got him (familiarized) with the new school, got him to the weight room."

Alongside his twin brother, Kyire Crape, Taysion organized a fundraiser to sell the red T-shirts to classmates and school staff in order to support Crawford's family. The fundraiser collected about $1,700 through the sales.

During the Nov. 20 assembly, the students took their seats on bleachers in the gymnasium. The students were, at times, restless, but the mood was somber. The students — a sea of red T-shirts worn in solidarity with their lost but not forgotten classmate — held a moment of silence to reflect as a photographer climbed a high ladder to capture a group photograph.

"He was one of those kids you would have wanted to know," said Jermaine Copeland, another friend of Crawford. "People were afraid at first to go up and approach him because of how big of a guy he was."

Copeland said Crawford was a standout athlete and provided motivation to many other students on the football, basketball and track and field teams.

"He had goals," Copeland said. "He went far."

In spring 2015, Crawford placed fourth at the regional tournament for discus, advancing him to sectionals.

Quentin Cartier, a science teacher at Wauwatosa East and a shot put and discus coach, said he encouraged Crawford to go out for the track and field team. Crawford would routinely stop by Cartier's classroom to say hello and would always be quick to offer a nice greeting in the hallway.

"He had a warmth about him," Cartier said. "He was instantly likable."

He said his relationship with Crawford was unique.

"He was one of those kids where you could imagine going to his wedding in the future."

Providing student support

Hughes sent a letter to all Wauwatosa East parents Nov. 17 notifying them that grief counselors were available to students who needed extra support.

"After hearing the news of Davion's death, your child may feel confusion or have questions about death," the letter said. "Listening to your child at this time is of utmost importance. Help and encourage them to express their concerns and feelings. Remember that as is the case with adults, all children grieve differently."

The letter noted that any cards or letters for Crawford's family could be dropped off at the school office.

HOW TO HELP

An online fundraiser has been created by Wauwatosa East High School, Longfellow Middle School and Roosevelt Elementary School PTAs to support Crawford's family. The fundraiser aims to collect $10,000. To donate, visit bit.ly/1PSa3S4.