Norwood News

Samira Ahmed, 15, a successful student-athlete at Mount St. Ursula Academy, died tragically on Dec. 15, after collapsing during a basketball game.

School officials don’t yet know the cause of death and are awaiting the results of an autopsy, said Cecilia Grande, a school spokesperson.

Last week, Mount St. Ursula, an all-girls school on Bedford Park Boulevard, was in a state of mourning. On Tuesday, the day after Samira died, the school held a special Mass for her, during which classmates held up posters created in her memory.

“It’s been a very difficult time,” Grande said.
Samira, less than a month away from her 16th birthday, was popular with her classmates, who called her “Smiles” because she was so cheerful.

“She was an honor student and role model to her fellow classmates,” Grande said.

In addition to being one of the best players and a captain on the junior varsity basketball team, Samira was also a member of the school’s Photo Club. She attended St. Brendan’s in Norwood before enrolling at Ursula for high school.

Grief counselors were present on campus to help students and faculty cope with the tragedy, Grande said.
The basketball team is planning to retire Samira’s number 3 jersey, Grande said.

On the school’s Web site, Samira’s coach, Jillian Asaro wrote: “We will love you and will miss you. We will carry you in our hearts every day. #3 ALL DAY; ALL THE WAY.”
Details about what happened are few. Earlier in the day, the school held a pep rally for the game that night against Preston. A photo from the rally shows Samira smiling with her teammates.

Samira’s parents, Rosey and Amadu Ahmed, attended the junior varsity game, during which Samira collapsed. The Ahmeds accompanied her as she was transported to Montefiore Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead after attempts to revive her were unsuccessful.
A memorial service was held for Samira at Bronx Miracle Gospel Tabernacle Church on Saturday, Dec. 20.