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Hundreds Mourn Death of NCTHS Student

Hernando Today photo by TONY HOLT

Nature Coast students mourn the death of their classmate, Scott Avery, during a memorial service Sunday.

By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: June 1, 2008

Updated: 06/01/2008 10:49 pm

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Scott Avery

Leo Salvato

Previous Arrest

BROOKSVILLE Scott Avery would do anything as long as the reward was making someone laugh.

He chased sheep. He danced in his boxer shorts, but only when he knew people were looking.

"He was a funny man," said best friend Chris Taylor. "He was my buddy."

That is how will be remembered by those closest to him.

Avery's friends, coaches and teachers paid their respects at the football field at Nature Coast Technical High School Sunday — one night after Avery was struck down and killed by a motorist.

Someone close to the family learned he left his house that night to attend a party. Because it was relatively close to his Dynasty Road home, he decided to ride his bike.

He pedaled south along California Street and turned east on Powell Road. Shortly before 10 p.m., he was run down by a 1997 Saturn driven by Leo J. Salvato, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Salvato, who also was traveling eastbound, fled the scene.

The accident occurred less than an hour following another fatal wreck involving a bicyclist along Cedar Lane near State Road 50. (see sidebar)

FHP released a three-sentence press release describing the accident at Powell Road.

An FHP shift commander had no new information and the investigator did not return a call seeking comment Sunday.

A jail spokeswoman said there was no record of an arrest of Salvato as of Sunday night.

Charges are forthcoming, according to the media release.

Court records revealed Salvato has been arrested and convicted on various charges ranging from battery on a law enforcement officer to driving on a suspended license.

Avery, a junior at Nature Coast, was a member of the school's basketball and football teams. His teammates arrived at Sunday's memorial en masse and formed a line along the fence near the football field. Several hundred students filled the bleachers and lit candles in his memory.

When contacted over the phone, head football coach Jamie Joyner would not comment about the tragedy Sunday afternoon out of respect for Avery's mother.

A reporter arrived at Avery's house but was turned away.

At the gathering later that night — which was attended by family and friends along with hundreds of students and staff — an emotional coach thanked the students for showing their respects. He still was not ready to speak when he was approached at midfield at the end of the vigil.

By then, mostly everyone stepped down from the bleachers and huddled together near the 50-yard line.

"I think this speaks for itself more than my words could," Joyner said as he glanced toward the crowd.

Nature Coast Principal Tizzy Schoelles described the previous 24 hours as a "profoundly sad time."

"He was a great kid," she said of Avery, 17. "He's left a great footprint on this school."

In addition to sports, he was active Nature Coast's construction program, which worked hand-in-hand with the local Habitat for Humanity. He was known by his teachers as a "giving kid" and a "contributor" to society.

"This shows you the number of kids he touched," Schoelles said.

The vigil began at 7:30 p.m. By the time the sun went down an hour later, most of the students were still huddled on the field.

The football team bowed their heads and said a prayer, just like they do after every game.

Several students sobbed and hugged one another, but many of them stood in silence, finding comfort while being among friends.

"He was a fun guy," said Teddy Freed, 17, who knew Avery for years. "He was always down for anything … He loved all of his friends."

"He was great all around," said Anna Steen, 17. "I don't think he had any enemies."

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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