Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
For Shawano School District staff who knew them, the memories of Cody Borsche and Tyler Welch are as closely knit in the wake of their tragic deaths as their friendship was in life.
“They were both good friends and good guys,” Shawano Community High School Principal Scott Zwirschitz said.
“They loved tech ed and they took a lot of courses,” he said. “They were looking forward to graduating and working in the trades.”
Welch, 18, and Borsche, 17, were pronounced dead Tuesday night at the scene of an accident on state Highway 22 that also claimed the life of Paige Brunette, 15, of Bonduel.
The students were part of a tight-knit group of friends that also included fellow Shawano student Ryan Swadner, 17, who was driving at the time of the crash.
School officials said Swadner was listed in critical condition Wednesday.
Zwirschitz said Welch and Borsche, both seniors, were close and did a lot together.
“Teachers enjoyed having them,” he said. “They were good students.”
They shared a wide variety of interests in the tech ed area, Zwirschitz said, taking courses that included welding, graphic arts, woodworking and construction.
“They took everything,” he said.
Kelley Swartz, district director of curriculum, said Borsche was also active in 4-H.
“He won a number of awards that he and his mom were proud of,” she said.