Returning to the class from the office red-faced and puffy-eyed, senior Ethan Knox cried with English teacher Megan Woodward after being notified of his mother’s passing.

His mother, who had been missing for the two days prior, passed away on Friday Sept. 16.

Knox, only 18-years-old, will now be living on his own. Woodward says she views all of her students as her own children and could not imagine the situation Knox was thrust into. She decided to do something to help and made a GoFundMe page called “Support Ethan.” Currently, the page has exceeded $36,000. Neither Knox nor Woodward expected this outcome, as the original goal was set for a mere $1000.

“I knew $1000 would not be enough, but I just thought that anything that keeps the lights on and the water going and some food would be good,” Woodward said.

Knox does feel he has enough money for food and necessities right now. He considers the money received as an emergency fund. At the moment, he is pretending the money doesn’t exist to see how far his current money takes him and go from there.

Although he is not entirely certain, Knox is considering using the money for college. Woodward, along with math teacher Jack Williams, another one of Knox’s teachers, thinks that even through all of this, Knox has a lot of potential to get back in the swing of things.

“As strong of a student as he is he’ll eventually perform the same way he typically has in the past,” Williams said. “It’s just might take a little while to get to that point.”

Williams is amazed by how, when given the opportunity, so many people take that chance to give. Over 500 people have donated through GoFundMe. Others who cannot or do not want to donate through GoFundMe have contacted Woodward and given their donation directly to her. Knox and Woodward are very thankful for everyone donating and everything donated.

“This is definitely helpful,” Knox said.  “I belong to all you guys (at Southport) thanks.”