By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
KANNAPOLIS – Friends of Chris Overcash gathered at the A.L. Brown High School spirit rock Monday to honor their fallen classmate.
One friend described the school atmosphere as “awkward and quiet.”
Overcash, a 16-year-old junior, died Saturday afternoon at Stone Mountain State Park in Wilkes County after falling 500 feet from a cliff while hiking with Boy Scout Troop 128 of Concord, park officials said.
State parks spokesman Charlie Peek said the teen was with a group of Boy Scouts that had camped overnight at the park. Overcash was about 100 yards off the marked trail on the mountain’s summit when he fell.
Elizabeth Fout, a friend and fellow student at the Kannapolis high school, said Overcash was one of the first people she met at school.
“He would do everything in his power to make you happy,” she said. “He didn’t care what people thought.”
Fout was one of about a dozen students around the spray-painted rock Monday afternoon.
Bouquets of flowers, a signed stuffed animal and candles that had long since gone out lay at the base of the rock.
Overcash had a vibrant personality, friends said. The teenager was quick to hug, quick to laugh and wasn’t afraid of anything.
“You would end up his friend whether you wanted to be or not,” said classmate Brittany Bossardet.
Another student, Katie Bishop, said the school had a solemn mood Monday.
“It’s been really awkward and quiet,” she said. “It’s hard to see his face on T.V.”
Friends said they’re hoping to raise enough money to buy Overcash’s class ring.
State parks spokesman Charlie Peek said the teenager had camped overnight with his troop before the accident happened.
Emergency crews were called about noon Saturday.
Overcash was a weekly volunteer at the Cabarrus County Pets Society.
He planned to enlist in the Army after graduation.
Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. at High Rock Community Church in Kannapolis.
A Celebration of Life service will be held afterward.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.