North St. Paul high school mourns teen who died after attending prom

Anna Jaskulka
Anna Jaskulka
Courtesy of North High School

Updated: 9:53 a.m. | Posted: 8:58 a.m.

Her dress was a vibrant royal blue. Her hair was up, her makeup was simple.

Photos of Anna Jaskulka on prom night show a happy, vibrant teen celebrating her last days of high school. She was set to graduate in two weeks.

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But it was just hours later that tributes and condolences began pouring in.

The Maplewood 18-year-old died shortly after coming home from prom around 11 p.m. Saturday. Police say it was apparent Jaskulka had been drinking. Her parents picked her up and when they checked on her at home a little later, they found her unresponsive.

She was transported to Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury where she died.

Maplewood Police Chief Paul Schnell said investigators are trying to determine where she may have obtained access to alcohol "and attempting to explore whether or not other substances were involved."

Jaskulka was a senior at North High School in North St. Paul. Principal Greg Nelson described her as a "happy-go lucky-kid" who wasn't the front-and-center-of-attention type of student.

Nelson couldn't hold back tears Monday while talking about Jaskulka.

"I'm a dad," he said, "I'm more connected with the dad, right there with being principal and worried about my staff and students."

Jaskulka was a student in Brock Beithon's math class. Beithon remembers her as one of the happiest students around.

"I can't recall a time where she came into my room not smiling," he said. "Truly a joyful spirit and somebody who brightens the day of those around her."

Jaskulka died just over two weeks before graduation. Nelson said she was late in the process of applying to college but was definitely planning to continue her education.

The news that alcohol or other substances may have been involved concerned the principal who said he did not anticipate ending the school year on this sad note.

"It's a concern every prom, every dance frankly," he said.

A toxicology is expected to have more details on Jaskulka's cause of death.