A tragic turn of events has left a community in mourning after the untimely death of 18-year-old Sienna Stewart, a Hiram High School graduate. Sienna’s story is one of perseverance, strength, and an indomitable spirit that touched everyone who knew her.
On May 23, 2024, a tragic incident interrupted the joyous celebration of Hiram High School’s graduation. A young female student collapsed during the ceremony.
In a video shared by the high school, the principal’s voice can be heard, “Just give us a second please, we have a student, just give us a second…” Panic and concern quickly spread as staff called for Sienna Stewart’s mother, Saevon Chum.
When Saevon arrived, she saw paramedics attending to her daughter. She recounted, “When I got there, the ambulance was already there. She had collapsed. She had had another episode. But this was the first time she collapsed unconscious.”
A few minutes later, Sienna regained consciousness. But instead of heading to the hospital, she decided to attend the ceremony.
“All she could tell me is, ‘I just want to graduate, I want to walk.’ That’s all she wanted, because she already missed her prom, because before then she was in the hospital and missed her senior prom,” Saevon explained.
Her personality was infectious, marked by her laughter, smile, and unexpected jokes that often left others in stitches.
Sienna’s resolve and strength were remarkable. Diagnosed with severe cardiomyopathy at age four, she received a heart transplant when she was eight. This transplant allowed her to live a decade of relatively normal life, filled with the typical joys and challenges of growing up.
However, in April 2024, her health began to decline. “She was diagnosed with heart failure. Her heart transplant heart was getting sick. It was getting weak and slowing down,” Saevon said, explaining the reasons behind her daughter’s collapse.
Despite these challenges, Sienna managed to walk across the stage unaided, receiving her diploma to the applause and admiration of those present.
“It was a scary moment at graduation, but she was a tough cookie ever since she was little. She was just so tough. She was just strength and resilience, she was just so strong,” Saevon reflected.
Sadly, just two weeks after this triumph, Sienna collapsed again, much to the shock and heartbreak of her loved ones.
The impact Sienna had on those around her was profound.
Her mother described the heart-wrenching moment, “You’re just holding your daughter, your child, and you have to [make] that 911 call not knowing if your daughter’s going to wake up or not.”
Despite initial signs of recovery, Sienna passed away on June 12. Saevon shared her grief and pride in her daughter’s strength:
“They asked if I’d known that she’d had a sick heart for a while. I say ‘yes,’ but you know, you’re never going to be ready to lose your child. As a mom, you feel so proud because she just fought through something that hurts her. You have to be proud. Till the end, I was proud.”
In the aftermath of this tragedy, the community has rallied to support the Chum-Stewart family. A GoFundMe campaign titled “Remembering SiSi: Support for the Chum-Stewart Family” has been organized to help cover the funeral expenses and support the family.
The campaign, initiated by Essence Chum-Stewart, has exceeded its goal, raising $10,807. The fundraiser paints a vivid picture of Sienna’s vibrant personality:
“She was a bright light with a bubbly personality that could lift anyone’s spirits. Her kindness and warmth touched everyone who knew her and her story would inspire those who didn’t.”
Sienna Leigh Stewart was born on June 3, 2006, in Erial, New Jersey, to Kurt Stewart and Saevon Chum. She spent 17 years of her life in Paulding County, Hiram, Georgia, and recently graduated from Hiram High School with plans to attend college in the fall to study sonography.
Sienna was not just academically driven; she was an active participant in her school community, playing on the volleyball team and earning the title of “Best Dressed” in her yearbook. Her personality was infectious, marked by her laughter, smile, and unexpected jokes that often left others in stitches.
Sienna’s interests extended beyond school activities. She was a fashion enthusiast who created her own brand, “Trust Me Si,” featuring hoodies, t-shirts, and mugs. Her love for hairstyling, makeup, lashes, and nails was evident in her perfectly curated looks.
The youngster also enjoyed sharing her passions on TikTok, where her dancing, singing, and humorous skits showcased her love for life and creativity. Her love for nature, hiking, traveling, and food were other facets of her vibrant personality.
The impact Sienna had on those around her was profound. “Her presence alone is contagious, her laugh, smile, her unexpected jokes, and dark humor make you fall off your seat. She fills the room with sweet, warm, respectful energy, her upbeat enthused tone of voice that uplifts your spirits instantly,” reads her online obituary.
The obituary also highlights Sienna’s unwavering strength despite numerous hospital visits, surgeries, and health challenges from a young age. “She fought till she tired, she fought till the end [sic].”
Sienna is survived by her mother, Saevon Chum, her father, Kurt Stewart, and her two siblings, Essence Chum-Stewart and Kurtis Stewart. The family plans to hold a funeral service for Sienna on Sunday, June 30.
To honor her memory, they have asked for donations and support through the GoFundMe campaign, and for flowers to be sent through the memorial tree service listed in her obituary.
As the Hiram community grapples with the loss of such a promising young life, they remember Sienna for her achievements and resilience and the joy and light she brought into their lives.
Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The family and community are left with cherished memories of Sienna’s life: a life filled with laughter, love, and determination.
Her legacy of strength and resilience will continue to inspire those who knew her and those who learn about her story. As they prepare to say their final goodbyes, they hold onto the pride and love they have for Sienna, a young woman who faced life’s challenges with an unyielding spirit and a radiant smile.
Our deepest condolences go out to this teenage girl’s family and friends. We also request our cherished readers to keep Sienna in their heartfelt prayers.
If this story touched your heart, scroll down for another poignant read:
15-Year-Old Girl Found Dead After Missing Her Middle School Graduation
The city of Lowell is mourning the tragic loss of 15-year-old Ahliana Dickey, who was found dead in her Lawrence Street home after failing to show up for her eighth-grade graduation. The horrific incident has led to the arrest of 21-year-old Trevor Bady, who is facing multiple charges, including murder and armed home invasion.
Ahliana was supposed to attend her middle school graduation on June 14, 2024. When she did not appear at the ceremony, her concerned family went to her home to check on her.
It was there, at approximately 6:10 p.m., that her grandmother discovered Ahliana’s lifeless body on the floor of a first-floor bedroom, riddled with gunshot wounds. Multiple shell casings were found nearby, painting a grim picture of the final moments of the young girl’s life.
Trevor, a resident of Tewksbury, has been identified as the perpetrator. Authorities allege that Trevor shot Ahliana in her home shortly after midnight on June 14. Trevor, who had a documented history of abusive behavior towards Ahliana, was arrested at a residence in Peabody without incident on June 17.
He has been charged with murder, armed home invasion, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, use of a firearm while committing a felony, and discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of a building.
Ahliana and Trevor were reportedly in an abusive relationship. Witnesses and investigators revealed that Trevor had physically assaulted and threatened her multiple times in the past. Just two days before her death, Ahliana confided in someone that Trevor had threatened to kill her and her grandmother and that he planned to “shoot up her house.”
On the night of June 14, shortly after midnight, police received a call from a neighbor reporting a loud altercation between a man and a woman on Lawrence Street.
The caller reported hearing a female scream, “Get off me; get away from me. I don’t want to be with you anymore,” followed by the sound of gunshots. Despite responding to the scene, police were unable to locate the fighting couple at that time.
