Burlington, VT — A heartbreaking tragedy has shaken the Burlington community, as 18-year-old Eljak Menjwak, a rising senior at Burlington High School, lost his life in a drowning incident at Bartlett Falls in Bristol on Saturday evening.
According to Vermont State Police, Eljak had been swimming with friends in the New Haven River near the popular waterfall when he jumped from a cliff and began struggling in the fast-moving current. Witnesses made desperate attempts to help him, but he slipped beneath the water and did not resurface. Emergency responders recovered his body around 8 p.m., after a multi-agency rescue effort that included technical dive teams and local fire departments.
The loss of Eljak, who was entering his final year of high school, has left a profound void in the hearts of classmates, teachers, and the many lives he touched throughout the Burlington School District. Known for his warmth, resilience, and quiet strength, Eljak was a beloved student who brought energy and compassion into every room he entered.
“This is an incredibly painful moment for our school and our city,” said Burlington High School Principal Sabrina Westdijk. “Eljak was part of our extended family. His absence will be felt deeply by students, staff, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
In response to the tragedy, the Burlington School District has launched an immediate support initiative, offering grief counseling at several schools throughout the week to help students and families begin to process the loss. Multilingual liaisons and culturally responsive staff members will be available to ensure support reaches every corner of the community.
Sessions include:
- Monday: Burlington High School (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
- Tuesday: Champlain Elementary School (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
- Thursday: Edmunds Middle School (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Eljak, who had dreams of pursuing a career in engineering, was admired not only for his academic promise but for his sense of humor, leadership, and dedication to his peers. He participated in school programs at the Burlington Technical Center and was described by teachers as “a bright light” and “a steady friend to many.”
He is survived by his parents, siblings, and extended family, who are receiving an outpouring of support from community members grappling with the enormity of the loss.
“Eljak had so much ahead of him,” said one classmate. “He worked hard, he cared deeply, and he made people feel seen. This just doesn’t feel real.”
As Burlington mourns the death of a promising young man taken far too soon, the community is coming together to honor Eljak’s memory—with compassion, unity, and shared sorrow. Plans for a memorial vigil are currently underway, with details to be shared by the school district.
Eljak Menjwak may be gone, but the kindness, joy, and spirit he brought to the world will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Eljak. Your light lives on in all of us.
