Joshua Damptey was a student that everyone looked up to, noted his fifth-grade teacher, Rob Gooding.

The 10-year-old Oak Point Intermediate student died Friday afternoon after collapsing during run club.

“He seemed to enjoy everything he was involved with,” Gooding said.

Gooding described Joshua as caring, very responsible, and as a person with a high level of integrity.

“He was a pleasure to teach.”

Joshua lived in Chaska with his mother, Sylvia, and brother, Victor, who attends Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion School. Joshua previously attended Eden Lake Elementary.

In a written statement, his mother said:

"Our family would like to express our sincerest gratitude for the outpouring of love and support. Your prayers are truly appreciated at this time.

"We are devastated by the abrupt loss of our phenomenal son and brother, Joshua. We are comforted by the knowledge that he is now home in the loving arms of Jesus. We thank God for the blessing of his life. We are grateful to have experienced the light and the joy that Joshua brought to our lives in his 10 glorious years of life.

"Joshua represents so many wonderful things – An amazing son, brother, leader, friend, Cub Scout, pianist, philanthropist, athlete, student, and most importantly a child of God.

"Joshua loved life and his light will shine on in heaven and here on Earth for all eternity," she wrote.

Gooding said, "Joshua was very kind and caring to others, the kind of kid who would go out of his way for people."

He also noted that Joshua was gifted and very intelligent.

“He was outstanding in everything he put his hands on.”

“We send our heartfelt condolences to Joshua’s family. We are incredibly saddened by the news of his death,” Superintendent Melissa Krull said, in a statement.  “Everyone has such wonderful stories about this amazing little boy.   He touched the lives of so many people in our schools and in the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joshua’s family and friends.”

The report as to the cause of Joshua’s death was not available at press time. Counselors were made available to all students on Monday. Joshua’s funeral is planned at 4 p.m. Friday at Westwood Community Church, 3121 Westwood Drive, Chanhassen, with visitation beginning at 3 p.m. A Joshua Damptey Memorial Fund has been established through Wells Fargo Bank.

-Leah Shaffer, correspondent