It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime. Sarah Acton, a 31-year-old teacher from Buffalo, N.Y., was on a school trip in Costa Rica when she suddenly died of an unknown cause.
The Spanish teacher at Tapestry Charter School became ill while leading students on a cultural exchange program in the Central American country. She collapsed during a white-water rafting trip, and despite receiving immediate medical attention she could not be revived.
On Monday, school officials remembered the beloved teacher and the passion she had for her job.
"She showed up here every day and she was happy to be here, happy to be with her students," said Joy Pepper, Executive Director at Tapestry Charter School. "She was very frank and got a lot out of them."
"She wanted us all to graduate and be successful," one of her students said. "So we've got to do it for her."
School officials headed to Costa Rica on Tuesday to bring the students home on Wednesday, half way through their trip. Some of teenagers wanted to finish it to honor Acton, but school officials opted for bringing them home to their families.
Acton was getting her Board Certificate in world languages, and had studied abroad before in Costa Rica, and had led similar cultural exchange trips in the past. She was married to James Acton, a YNN News photojournalist.
The funeral has been arranged. Calling Hours will be on April 1 and 2 at the Lester Wedekindt Funeral Home in Kenmore, N.Y. The funeral service will take place at Zion United Church of Christ in Tonawanda on April 3.
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