Job Corps student dies in his dorm

MOSES LAKE — A 22-year-old Columbia Basin Job Corps student was found dead in his dorm room Saturday.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office reported suspecting Rhyan Standard, of Poulsbo, Wash., of dying from a methadone overdose while using the drug with a 17-year-old boy. The teenager was taken to Samaritan Hospital for treatment.

An investigation into how Standard obtained the drug continues, but the sheriff's office indicated there would be no charges connected to Standard's death.

Grant County Coroner Jerry Jasman said the time and cause of death are under investigation and any evidence proving methadone is involved requires a toxicology report, which takes six to eight weeks.

Methadone is a synthetic antidepressant used to help break people's addictions to such drugs as morphine or heroin. An overdose of methadone can stop a person's breathing, according to the sheriff's office.

Standard's death came as a shock to his fellow students, friends and faculty.

The young man arrived in Moses Lake in April to learn about business technology at Job Corps.

Nearly three months later, students are holding a memorial for him. It is slated for tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. in the Columbia Basin Job Corps gym, said Business Community Liaison Jennifer Thomas.

"We appreciate all the phone calls of support," Thomas said.

Counselors are helping students as they cope with the death of their peer.

"I thought he was an outstanding person," said student Daniel Bertram. "He was always trying to help out everyone around us."

Bertram and student Darrell Dawson met Standard his first day on site through their involvement with the Introduction to Center Life program.

"From day one to just last week, we were really a tight-knit group," Dawson said.

He and Standard completed community involvement projects together.

"He was definitely a mentor for a lot of students here (at the) center," he said.

Dawson said he is going to remember the words Standard said to others when their day was rough: "Keep your head up, kid."

Bertram said he wished to extend his deepest regards to Standard's parents.

Business technologies instructor Ken Slenninger said he saw potential in Standard and believed he would graduate and continue to be successful.

"It's a tragic loss," Slenninger said.

Slenninger described Standard as a good student who volunteered to work with newer students on center and in the business technology trade.

"He volunteered for things off-center too, community service projects," he said. "If they needed a volunteer, he was there."

Standard's recent performance report placed him above average or higher, Slenninger said.

"Right from the start he was a motivated student. He was goal-oriented," Dawson said.