AHS graduate and A-Blast Alumni Mark Slough passed away Oct. 8 in a fatal bicycle accident.

Slough was a part of the 2014 AHS graduating class and was a sophomore at Virginia Tech majoring in aerospace engineering.

According to WSLS 10, Slough was in Blacksburg, Virginia when he was hit by a car while making a turn. A group of seven people had to lift the vehicle off of him.

He was transported from Montgomery Regional Hospital to Roanoke Memorial hospital, but he ultimately succumbed to the injuries and passed away around 12:30 p.m.

There will be a memorial service for Slough at AHS on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 11 a.m.

Slough was an active member in the AHS community. His extracurricular activities included being a copy editor for The A-Blast, being a member of the National Honors Society, starring in Annandale Theatre plays, being on the Boys Swim & Dive team and he was also a part of the chamber chorale for the Annandale Singers.

Slough also had a large impact on many individuals at AHS.

“He was a huge part of my high school career. Him and I were partners in chorus, tenor buddies,” senior Leif Jomuad said. “I loved every minute I spent with him.”

Many from AHS are mourning over the loss of such a beloved companion.

“I feel like a part of me has died on the inside,” senior Bailey Oliver said. “We got along so well, and I still feel the pain of knowing he isn’t here anymore.”

His abrupt death happened at such a young age that it is sad to see him go so soon.

“I won’t be able to see him grow up to be the engineer he wanted to be,” Oliver said. “I won’t get to see him be as tall as his dad, nor will I get to ever play video games with him anymore.”

Slough’s humour, friendliness and contagious smile is gone, but will not be forgotten.

Please support and comfort the Slough family as they try to cope with the loss of Mark.