Fox Schools Honor Dead Student, Band Director

About 400 Fox Schools students assembled on the school's football stadium bleachers to bid farewell to beloved Music Director Matt Rice and student Mitchell Maserang.

During the two-and-a-half hour candlelight vigil, Maserang's teachers said:

• The 15-year-old boy was always very respectful, he always said hello and goodbye
• They wish they had more time to know him
• Everyone should believe God had some unbelieveable plans and needed an idyllic angel named Mitch
• Mitchell Maserang was always kind, considerate and helpful

Maserang's aunt said she had a great sense of loss because she associated her nephew with the the best qualities in humanity.

"Before I could park my car at a family event, Mitch would be at driver's door, offering to carry my son, his diaper bag, my purse, and the food I prepared for the family," she said.

Mitchell Maserang's mother said she taught her son that life can only offer what people give. "Give respect and you will get respect," she said.

Mitchell will miss all students's experience, she said to the students. "He will miss graduation, his first true love, the experience of college, marriage and having his own family."

Matt Rice's family spoke briefly but said the students "play strong, with dignity and without apologies." 

Rice, 37, died of natural causes, Principal Dr. Kevin Rossiter announced, on the Fox High School website.

Rice's official cause of death has not been announced.

A train in Wentzville killed Maserang on July 1 while the teenagers wore headphones and walked away from the westbound train at about 9:45 a.m. said officials at Norfolk Southern Railroad, as reported by WentzvillePatch.