High school graduate, 18, tragically dies weeks after collapsing

A community is grieving over the sudden death of Sienna Stewart, an 18-year-old who collapsed during her graduation ceremony.

Sienna had a heart transplant ten years ago after being diagnosed with severe cardiomyopathy at age 4. Earlier this year, she started feeling unwell. Despite the transplant, which helped her lead a fairly normal life for a decade, Sienna recently began to feel weak.

Her mother, Saevon Chum, mentioned that Sienna had times when she would suddenly fall down. This happened again at her graduation on May 23, 2024. During the ceremony, the school principal paused the event, asking for a moment because a student needed help.

When Saevon got to the scene, paramedics were already taking care of Sienna. “The ambulance was there when I arrived,” Saevon recalled. “She had fallen and was unconscious for the first time.”

Sienna woke up a few minutes later and chose to stay at the graduation instead of going to the hospital. She missed her prom because she was in the hospital, and all she wanted was to graduate. “I just want to graduate, I want to walk,” she told her mom.

Sadly, Sienna passed away on June 12, just weeks after her graduation. Her mother expressed pride in her bravery, saying, “You have to be proud. I was proud of her until the end.”

According to her obituary, Sienna had plans to go to college and study to become a sonogram technician in the fall.

Sienna Stewart will be remembered and deeply missed.