Authorities said 16-year-old Antwan Lewis was swimming in the ocean at Myrtle Beach Saturday afternoon with several other band students when he went under the water and did not resurface.
The school's band was in Myrtle Beach for a competition. Rescue crews used jet skis and a Coast Guard helicopter to search for the Seven Springs High School sophomore, but they have been unable to find him.
"A lot of people that knew him are just all torn apart," said Demetria Harris, a student.
School districts set their own policies on field trips. A representative for Wayne County Schools said 55 band members were accompanied by 14 adults. She said proper procedures were followed.
Olivia Pierce of the Wayne County Schools said those procedures include permission forms for each student, approval from central office to take the trip and having the trip also approved by the advisory council at the school.
School psychologists, additional counselors, social workers and others were at the school Monday to assist students and staff members in dealing with the situation.
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