Kennedy H.S. administrators confirm teacher killed after tree falls on tent

SOLON – In the midst of Sunday morning storms, a falling tree landed on a tent at Lake Macbride State Park, killing a woman, who was alone in the tent.

Administrators at Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School confirm the woman killed was Jennifer Lewis, a chemistry teacher at the school. Principal Mary Wilcynski said on Sunday evening that Lewis had taught at Kennedy since 2009. She sent out an e-mail, addressed to school parents, early Sunday afternoon to inform them of Lewis's death.

Describing Lewis as a “chemist by nature and a teacher by heart”, Wilcynski said counselors will be available for students and teachers.

“Just an outstanding young woman in the beginning of her career.”

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said the victim was camping with friends and a sister on the park's south side campground. Investigators say the tree fell from “adjacent private ground” onto the tent the victim was in.

In an e-mail to school parents, Wilcynski wrote that Lewis was a native of Washington, Iowa and graduated magna cum laude from Coe College in 2001. Wilcynski also stated Lewis worked in the chemical manufacturing industry before attending the University of Kansas for her graduate degree in education.

This weekend started as one of celebration, with Cedar Rapids public schools holding graduating ceremonies throughout the past few days, including Kennedy's on Saturday night. Now Wilcynski said staff and students will close out the rest of the year, grieving together.

“Staff clearly grieve when a student is killed or harmed but, in this situation, not only students but staff as well and they can't be that support as much because they are grieving also.”