05/27/2026
Please read the following statement from Superintendent Goodpaster regarding Braylon Diaz:
Dear Franklin Pierce families, staff, and community,
By now many of you have learned about the death of a beloved member of our community after an off-campus incident Sunday night. Braylon Diaz was a junior at Washington High School who was deeply connected to our school community through his involvement in the WHS football and soccer programs. He had previously attended Brookdale Elementary and Keithley Middle, and his ties in this community run deep.
As our community begins to process this loss, I encourage each of you to check in with your family, friends, other community members, and yourself.
Franklin Pierce Schools is working to support students, staff, and families with the care and compassion needed in this time of grief. Our counseling response team established safe spaces at Washington High School on Tuesday and will continue to keep those spaces available as long as needed. Additional counseling and mental health support resources are available to students and employees across the district throughout the school year. I encourage parents and guardians to contact your student’s school if you have questions about the resources and support services available within our schools and community.
I ask that our neighbors and community keep Braylon’s family, friends, teammates, and classmates in their thoughts and to surround everyone who knew Braylon with compassion and support as they navigate this profound loss.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lance Goodpaster
