HILTON, N.Y. — Longtime Hilton cheerleading coach Laurie Miller remembers Paige Smith as a unique, kind-hearted girl. She says that she loved being a part of the team and representing her school community as a cheerleader.
"A fantastic tumbler, a great cheerleader, motivator, wanting everybody to work as hard as she did. And pushing herself to be the best cheerleader she could be," said Miller
Miller met Paige as a fifth grader while coaching her older sister Ashlie. She became close to the family over the years. Whether it was to borrow a computer charger or grab a strawberry Poptart, Paige was always hanging around "Coach Mill's" room.
"I saw Paige every single solitary day. She just was such a big, huge part of my life and I'm thankful that I have that," said Miller.
The school plans to honor Paige during this year's commencement ceremony.
"She earned her diploma and we want to read her name and have that diploma presented. In this case we talked to her mom and her family consulted each other and they decided they want her sister to receive it," said Hilton High School Principal Brian Bartalo.
Miller will be the one to call Paige's name. She says that she still feels Paige around her and she's sure that on Saturday Paige will be there, cheering all of her classmates on.
"It's going to be like, again, Paige is going to reach out her arms and put them around all of us and let us know that she's there," said Miller.
Through it all, the community has shown support for both Paige and her best friend Brianna Scarpulla who was injured in the crash.
"It really did bring out the best in our kids and our community, the rallying of support, the things the kids have done on their own has just been unbelievable. I'm just so proud of them," said Bartalo.
"If there's anybody, in the whole community, that could have brought a community together it is Paige Smith, she is one of a kind," said Miller.