Tessa Pettigrew
Classes at Lake Highlands High School are cancelled today/Tuesday to enable teachers and students to attend funeral services for Tessa Pettigrew. Pettigrew was an assistant principal on campus, and she died March 31.
Pettigrew served as senior principal at LHHS, so she worked closely with seniors to plan fundraisers and events leading up to graduation each year. The Class of 2023 has taken her death especially hard, and the soccer team, which recently advanced to the regional semifinals, dedicated their season to her.
“Lake Highlands recently lost a highly valued and respected member of the school community with the unexpected passing of assistant principal Tessa Pettigrew,” wrote LHHS Principal Kerri Jones in an email to parents. “Her funeral services are occurring April 11, and understandably, large numbers of LHHS teachers, administrators and staff are expected to be absent from work to attend the services. Due to the expected volume of staff absences on April 11, we do not anticipate being able to conduct school operations safely and effectively that day; therefore, Tuesday, April 11 will be a student holiday for Lake Highlands High School.”
Pettigrew is survived by husband Nathan and five beautiful children. A GoFundMe page set up by friends describes her as “a bright light of positivity and a ray of sunshine. She joyfully dedicated her life to serving others and helping kids.”
Wildcat head football coach and athletic coordinator Lonnie Jordan agrees.
“Tessa Pettigrew was an amazing person,” Jordan told the Dallas Morning News. “She was full of energy, always positive. She was good for kids, and our kids loved her. If there was anything fun going on at Lake Highlands High School, she had her hands all over it.”
The Pettigrew family has invited LHHS students and staff to the 11 a.m. service at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 920 E. 14th Street in Plano.
