Petition convinces high school to honor deceased student at graduation

RALEIGH, N.C. -- School officials at a high school in North Carolina say they will now honor a 17-year-old lifeguard, who was electrocuted and drowned in a swimming pool, following widespread backlash at an initial decision not to. 

According to the News & Observer reports, Rachel Rosoff will be recognized at Enloe High School's June 14 graduation with a vase placed on stage and a moment of silence.   

CBS affiliate WNCN-TV reports the ceremony will also include a moment of silence, a statement from the school within the graduation program, and the possibility of a reference to Rosoff within the valedictorian's speech.

The reversal comes after national coverage of the school's initial decision to not mention Rosoff by name, citing inability to provide trained professionals to support students at the ceremony. 

An online petition against the decision amassed 13,500 signatures from all over the world.

The Wake County School District issued a statement on Monday that reads in part: "We appreciate the willingness of Rachel Rosoff's family to resolve the question of Rachel's recognition during a painful and difficult time for all who knew her. We would also like to thank Enloe Principal Will Chavis for his quiet and persistent efforts to help us reach an agreement. We are not providing additional comment out of respect for the Rosoff family and the healing process among Rachel's classmates." 

On Sept. 3, 2016 -- just a week into her senior year -- Rosoff dove into a swimming pool in Raleigh without realizing the water was electrified. She subsequently drowned as a result of the incident. 

According to an inspection report released by Wake County, a corroded ground wire from 1979 forced electricity into the pool. Authorities say there was no chance for a breaker to trip, sending electricity along another path and into the pool. 

Pool inspections that are required each year in North Carolina do not include electrical work.