schools
Family seeks answers after witnesses say high school student died from ‘drinking too much’ on graduation trip
By Raven Little, Akim Powell at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
COLUMBIA, Miss. (WDAM/Gray News) - A family in Mississippi is seeking answers after a 19-year-old died on a trip to Florida days after graduating from high school.On May 15, Shannon Tanner graduated from Columbia Academy. His family says he was known to light up a room and talk to anyone who woul...
Key takeaway (WDAM/Gray News) - A family in Mississippi is seeking answers after a 19-year-old died on a trip to Florida days after graduating from high school.
Why this matters in The Midland
The tragic death of a young man on a graduation trip serves as a stark reminder for Midland families and schools to reexamine their approach to underage drinking and supervision on celebratory trips. As the new school year approaches, local parents and educators should take note of the devastating consequences of excessive drinking and the importance of ensuring adult chaperones are effectively monitoring and safeguarding students. The fact that adults were present on the trip but apparently unable to prevent the incident raises questions about the adequacy of supervision and the need for more stringent measures to protect students. In Midland, where high school graduations are a significant milestone, the community should come together to discuss ways to promote responsible celebration and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. By doing so, local families and schools can work towards creating a safer and more supportive environment for all students.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? COLUMBIA, Miss. (WDAM/Gray News) - A family in Mississippi is seeking answers after a 19-year-old died on a trip to Florida days after graduating from high school.On May 15, Shannon Tanner graduated from Columbia Academy. His family says he was known to light up a room and talk to anyone who woul...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Raven Little, Akim Powell at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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