By Cindy Kranz
The Cincinnati Enquirer

ANDERSON TWP. - Students at Anderson High School were stunned Tuesday morning when they learned a classmate had died overnight in her sleep.

Morgan Remington, 17, of Anderson Township, was a well-liked senior and softball team member. The cause of death is undetermined and may not be known for at least two weeks, the Hamilton County Coroner's Office said.

Students heard the news from Principal Diana Carter, who made the announcement during homeroom. Some distressed students called their parents and went home. Students were invited to visit the school's media center to talk with grief counselors. Morgan also had friends at Turpin High School, where grief counselors were also on hand.

After a friend from school phoned her about Morgan's death, Jennifer Lape, an 18-year-old 2003 Anderson graduate and fellow softball player, headed to school to be with friends. Some students were overcome with grief.

"They were hysterical," Jennifer said.

"They were in shock. It wasn't real, at first. It took a while to sink in. It was the same reaction at Turpin."

Jennifer and 15 friends gathered at a friend's house after school to support each other and share stories about Morgan. Softball team members plan to wear their shirts with her number 12 on their sleeves today.

"She was vibrant, very outgoing, loving and had a good sense of humor," said Jennifer, who will be an Ohio State University freshman. "She always put other people first. We're always going to remember her laugh and her smile, because that was a big part of her."

Morgan was also a member of Student Forum, a group of high school students that meets monthly with Forest Hills Superintendent John Patzwald to talk about what's on their minds.

She was also a black belt in tae kwon do.

She had talked about becoming a math teacher and had hoped to play softball in college, Jennifer said.

Her favorite school, so far, was Ball State, which she visited last weekend.

Carter, in a letter sent home to parents Tuesday, said the flag would fly at half-staff for the rest of the week in memory of Morgan.

"Morgan was an integral part of the Anderson student body and a 'true friend' to everyone," Carter wrote.

"We will miss her more than words can express."

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E-mail ckranz@enquirer.com