(Milano)   A Milano High school student drowned Monday afternoon while on a church outing at Inks Lake in Burnet County.  16 year old Brandon Chapman, an incoming Sr. at  Milano High school, drowned Monday while swimming across part of Inks Lake with fellow friends.  According to friends of the family, Chapman and 3 other students swam across part of the lake on an air mattress.  Chapman and another student jumped off the mattress and tried to swim the last 50 yards.  Chapman appeared fatigue about 20 yards from shore, and went under.  A camp counselor pulled Chapman from the water and administered CPR until paramedics arrived. He was then taken to a Burnet Hospital where he was pronounced dead.  

     Brandon was an active student at Milano High school.  A member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a member of the Milano High School Band, and involved in a variety of both academic and athletic extracurricular events.  As a Jr. Brandon was named a member of the class 1A all state football team, earned status as a state track meet alternate in the 400 meter run, played center field for the baseball team and was an integral member of the tennis team.  in 1999, Brandon ran on the 1600 meter relay team which placed 5th in the class 1A state track meet.  

     In addition, Brandon excelled in UIL academics and band.  During the 2000 UIL district competitions, Brandon placed first in the ready writing contest, 4th in mathmatics, and 5th in feature writing.  As a brass player for the Eagle Band, Brandon helped earn a division II rating for the concert and sight reading contests.  

     In a statement released Tuesday, friends said those whose lives he touched will miss Brandon, known as a cherished friend, an ever inspiring student, profound poet and saved Christian.  

     Brandon is the son of Ricky and Annette Chapman of Milano.  He is also survived by a sister Courtney, grandparents Jean Chapman of Bremond, and Jessie and Max Griego of LaMarque, and a half brother Charles Chapman of Bremond.  

     A fund has been established to help the family in this tragedy.  The Brandon Chapman Fund is set up at Rockdale Federal Credit Union.  In lieu of flowers, family and friends said donations to the Memorial Fund will be appreciated.  You may send your donation to:

     Funeral services for Brandon will be held Thursday at 6:30 pm at the Milano Football Field. Burial will follow in the Milano Cemetery.