Moorpark High Remembers Recent Graduate Who Died After Contracting Meningitis

Officials are trying to reach people who came in contact with an 18-year-old San Diego State University Student. The young woman died after contracting bacterial meningitis. Sara Stelzer, a recent graduate of Moorpark High School, began feeling ill on Sunday and had been on life support at a hospital in San Diego for a short time before passing away on Thursday. Stelzer had been hanging out with students at Moorpark High just days before she died.

“Its really sad because they just graduated and they are going to go out there and have fun now going to college and now its just heartbreaking because now they are gone,” said Moorpark High student, Valerie Romero.

A moment of silence was held Friday morning at Moorpark High to remember 18-year-old Stelzer.

“Sara is one of those students you don’t forget. She brought the proper amount of sass into the classroom,” said Stelzer’s former teacher Jett Clyne.

“She was always really funny and trying to make everyone laugh, and really nice,” said Stelzer’s friend Miranda Lipson.

The vibrant young woman was a part of Moorpark High’s golf team, Renaissance club, and she was also one of the the school’s mascots.

“It was a shock for everyone because this girl was so involved and a part of the school is just gone now,” said Moorpark High student Elizabeth Vaca.

Stelzer returned to her Alma mater to celebrate homecoming with friends, just days before her unexpected death from bacterial meningitis. NewsChannel 3 reporter Kelsey Gerckens, spoke with the principal of Moorpark High School, Carrie Pentis. Pentis said Stelzer was not at the homecoming dance, however, it is unknown if she attended the football game, but no one has come forward saying she did.

Ventura County Public Health Officials confirm that Stelzer was in close contact with up to 10 Moorpark High students while in town. Those ten students are all being treated with antibiotics, and back at school, after being cleared by a doctor.

“It’s scary like to know something is going around like that and for it to happen so fast,” said Moorpark High student Majesta Wallot.

Parents were notified of the meningitis death in their community by robo-call Friday morning.

“It scared my mom definitely, she called me this morning to tell me but it is kind of scary that someone here had that,” said Moorpark High student Joanna Troncoso.

As the health concern in Moorpark begins to clear, school officials in San Diego are dealing with a much larger group. Stelzer lived on campus, she was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority and had been to two parties in the last week.

A powder-puff game will be held in Stelzer’s honor at Moorpark High School Friday night.