By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

An Oak Mountain Middle School student died following a rappelling accident at Cheaha State Park over Easter weekend, Shelby County school officials confirmed on April 6.

The student, identified by the school system as eighth grader Millie Elia, was on a family outing to the state park over Easter weekend.

As of 3 p.m. on April 6, the state park has not returned request for comment.

Elia was an active member of the OMMS community, involved in cheerleading, the Advanced Symphonic band and science club. She was also an academically strong student and member of the National Junior Honor Society.

“Millie was a very involved and well liked student,” OMMS Principal Larry Haynes wrote in an email. “The students are making cards and passing out ribbon that were made in Millie’s honor yesterday by a group of students and parents who gathered at Veteran’s Park.”

Elia was also active in the Meadowbrook Baptist Youth Group.

OMMS parents received an email informing them of Elia’s death last night, and counselors are available at the school to provide services to both classmates and teachers.

“In addition to the school counselors, the district called in counselors from surrounding schools to assist,” Shelby County Schools Public Relations Supervisor Cindy Warner wrote in an email.