A Mount Horeb High School student, Haleyem M. Thorpe, 16, is reported to have died from bacterial meningitis on Saturday.

Thorpe is revealed to have died very suddenly on Saturday and local public health officials said that she wasn't sick the week before.

The death of Haleyem Thorpe is the second time this month that the rare ailment has caused a death in the Madison area.

Monday was hardly a typical day for the 700 students at Mount Horeb High School, where Thorpe was a student. Dr. Wayne Anderson, the school's superintendent, revealed it was a very sad day for the school.

"People are connected. Mount Horeb is like a large family. We're at the right size so that most people know everybody else. So, there are lots of connections. Everybody feels the loss in some way", he added.

The high school issued a letter via e-mail to parents of students in the Mount Horeb school district on Sunday, advising parents and students of Thorpe's death and warning them how bacterial meningitis can be passed.

Haleyem's Facebook page was filled with notes of condolence from friends, students and family.