By Patrick Hedlund
DNAinfo News Editor
LOWER EAST SIDE — Friends and classmates of a Lower East Side student who died after striking his head on subway car last week expressed shock and sadness Monday at the loss of a bright and talented rising star in the culinary world.
Bronx resident Adrian Rodriguez, 18, a senior at Marta Valle High School on Stanton Street, reportedly slipped and fell while running to catch a downtown 5 train at the Union Square station Friday morning. His head hit a train departing from the station at the time, the MTA said, but it is unclear how he fell.
Rodriguez was rushed to Bellevue Hospital and died later as a result of his injuries, police said.
The news left fellow classmates in disbelief that the life of such an ambitious and hardworking person had been lost.
"He didn't deserve to die so young, but he'll always be remembered," said Marta Valle sophomore Juan Duran, 15, who said everyone at the school knew him as "Chef Adrian."
Rodriguez had a reputation at the school for his cooking skills, and last year won a scholarship from the Careers through Culinary Arts Program, which works with public schools nationwide to prepare underserved high school students for college and career opportunities in the restaurant industry.
"He was always motivated, dedicated to his schoolwork," Duran added. "He had big dreams, he had a future."
Staff at the school described him as a driven student, noting he used to be one of the first to arrive on campus each morning.
"He was always doing the right thing," said Michael Wiggins, a custodian at the school for the past 17 years, who said on Friday that he chatted with Rodriguez every day. "He was always hustling to get where he was supposed to be."
One of his cooking classmates said he was the first to lend a hand to other students in the kitchen and always brought a positive energy to his work.
"When he's there it brings a nice, warm welcome that's just amazing," said Marta Valle freshman Clarissa Rivera, 14, who had a cooking class with Rodriguez and said he named his chef's knife "Precious."
"He's just loving and caring, and I'm going to miss him a lot. It's just heartbreaking."
Rodriguez's good nature also extended outside the kitchen, as classmates described his as a social person with lots of friends.
"He was a sweetheart," said freshman transfer student Cecilia Lugo, 15, who said Rodriguez was one of the first to embrace her when she arrived at the school just two weeks ago. "Everyone loved him. He was a very outgoing person."
Others knew him as a kind and selfless individual who acted more like a teacher than a student.
"He was just a good person. If you needed help with classwork, he would help you. He was just a great guy," said sophomore Michael Fernandez, 17. "Him out of all people [to die] — come on, man."
Marta Valle held a day of support at school Monday, offering counseling services to those affected by the tragedy.
The school said in a statement that Rodriguez's organs will be donated so that "[h]is legacy of caring for others will live on."
A viewing has been arranged at Ortiz Funeral Home on First Avenue in the East Village for Thursday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the school on April 14 at 6 p.m.
