CHULA VISTA (KGTV) -- The South Bay community is mourning the sudden loss of a beloved Olympian High School teacher.
Vanessa Sholty’s family said she suffered a stroke on Friday and passed away Sunday. She was only 39-years-old.
Sholty’s sister, Rebecca Webb, spoke about her love for teaching dance and her love for children.
“She’s been dancing for her whole life. She loves to dance and teach the kids to dance,” Webb said.
Sholty taught dance and physical education at Olympian High School in Chula Vista. With distance learning and COVID-19 protocols, Sholty — like the other teachers — made adjustments.
“She set up her whole living room like a dance studio,” Webb said.
Sholty leaves behind her husband and two young children. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with costs.
“We were not prepared for any of this,” Sholty said. “I walk into her house and I see all her school stuff still there because she had she was working that day… it's just some major shock for us all.”
Webb said support from the community, including messages from students and fellow staff members, is helping them keep strong.
“Her passing has deeply affected us all,” said a post on the Olympian High School Facebook page. “We have grief counselors available for anyone wishing to talk about this tragic event. These counselors will be available the remainder of the week and as needed in the future."
“Hearing their stories of what a great teacher she was, it makes us proud of her to know… she cared so much about everybody around her,” Webb said.
