The suicide of a Southeast Polk High School senior early Monday has jolted a community still mourning four teenage suicides last year.

Authorities say the body of Christopher Stumme, 17, was found by his father at their Altoona home early Monday.

Stumme was described as a well-liked senior who played in the high school band.

"Needless to say, everyone seems to have a desire to understand what might have caused it," Superintendent Tom Downs said.

School officials organized a task force last year to study what they described as a "suicide culture." Four teenage boys committed suicide within seven months of one another in 2008.

"It doesn't help Southeast Polk," said Kelsey Kane, 19, who graduated in the spring. "So many people think that's a suicide school, when it's really not the school's fault at all. The school was more supportive than anybody could be."

Kane said school assemblies, speakers and student meetings helped her cope with the helplessness she felt last year. Students also wore black and gold wristbands that said "Love is the Movement. SEP Cares."

A report about the community's effort to "build resilience" wrapped up about two weeks ago, Downs said. He said work will continue.

"The lesson today is that in spite of everything we do, there's no guarantee that we'll be able to protect all kids from these horrible choices," he said. "We're going to continue to promote what we can to support kids and support one another in these tough times."