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Bethel High School student dies from brain aneurysm

Posted at 11:53 AM, May 07, 2014
and last updated 2014-05-07 23:18:54-04

Hampton, Va. (WTKR) -Family and friends are remembering the life of Bethel High School Sophomore Arnise Scott.

Scott, 15, passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2014 according to school officials and her family.

"I never knew that she would be so special. Honor roll since the seventh grade always straight A's. Smart, personable, friendly," her father Anthony Scott told NewsChannel 3.

Hampton City Public School officials said grief counselors were on hand at Bethel High Tuesday for students and staff.

NewsChannel 3's Todd Corillo spoke to Scott's church pastor, who says he considers Arnise like his own daughter.

"She was a very smart girl and she wanted to grow up to be an anesthesiologist, that’s what her desire was," Pastor Arthur Rogers of New Life Church said.

Scott's grandfather founded the church and her mother grew up with Rogers.

"I’ve known Arnise ever since she was born, she’s like I guess you could say a daughter to me," Rogers commented.

Arnise played both soccer and field hockey.

Her mother Eldrie Scott tells NewsChannel 3 that her daughter suffered a head injury while playing goalie during a soccer game towards the end of April.

Her mother took her to the doctor, who diagnosed the 15-year-old with a mild concussion.

She sat out of soccer, but was itching to get back on the soccer field, her mother said.

Everything seemed fine this past Sunday, according to Rogers.

"She was in church Sunday morning, in fact she was here and she took communion. Just seemed like a normal day, no signs of anything that was wrong with her," Rogers said.

That night though, her mother heard Arnise screaming in pain and called 911.

"They took her to the hospital and found out that she had an aneurysm that had burst in her head in the front part of her brain," Rogers said.

Arnise Scott passed away Tuesday.

Rogers says they will not have a funeral for Arnise, but rather a celebration of her life.

"She was a very lively, feisty girl, she was always happy," Rogers said.

Her father though is still struggling with the fact that his baby girl is gone.

"I'm strong now, I don't sleep. I break down, when people are not around. Luckily people keep coming and I can't get rid of them but when they finally do leave I break down," Anthony Scott told NewsChannel 3's Reed Andrews.