MAPLETON — A Maple Mountain High School senior who was preparing to graduate in just two days was killed in a two-car crash Monday.
Kathrynn Shaw, 18, of Spanish Fork, was killed Monday night after being ejected from an SUV that rolled after hitting another vehicle at the intersection of 1600 North and Main.
"We are all in shock she is gone," Shaw's family said in a prepared statement. "How do you replace the sun and its beautiful rays of light that nurtures and warms you from the inside out?"
A 17-year-old boy driving a Mazda 3 ran a stop sign and rammed into a Hyundai SUV, according to a statement from Mapleton police. Shaw was one of three women in the SUV.
The Mazda was occupied by three boys, according to police. The other people involved in the crash suffered minor injuries and were either released at the scene or treated at a hospital and released.
Shaw was scheduled to graduate from Maple Mountain High School on Thursday.
"We were looking forward to seeing her walk with her many friends at commencement," her family wrote. "She was heading off to college on scholarship this fall. She worked hard to be awarded a Regents' Scholarship and to graduate with high honors."
Seniors at Maple Mountain participated in graduation practice Tuesday. A statement from Shaw's parents was read to the students, telling them that they loved them, and to remember their daughter's smile and giggles and to have fun at graduation.
Nebo School District spokeswoman Lana Hiskey said she has known the Shaw family personally for 25 years. Though the school still plans to read Shaw's name Thursday at graduation and show a picture of her, the family does not want the celebration to turn into a memorial, she said.
"The family is concerned about her friends," Hiskey said. "They want graduation to be a joyful occasion for them."
Hiskey said Shaw was well-known at the high school. She was a member of the highly acclaimed drill team and was graduating with honors. Shaw wanted to go into nursing and had received a scholarship to Southern Utah University.
"She's amazing," Hiskey said. "Honestly, she's very vivacious, bubbly. She definitely was sunshine wherever she went. She was just one of those girls you just adore."
Shaw is survived by her father, mother and four siblings.
"Kathrynn had the rare ability and power to touch and bless all who knew and loved her," the family statement continued. "She seldom spoke ill of anyone and would get a little testy if you were judgmental toward others or didn't practice what you preached. Her love for life and everyone in it was a beautiful thing to behold and something we can all strive to emulate."
Nebo School District and Maple Mountain High counselors were at the school Tuesday. Meanwhile, tributes to Shaw filled social media.
"My beautiful cousin (Kathrynn) Shaw was in a tragic car accident last night. She passed away shortly after the incident," Shelby Kirkpatrick wrote on Facebook. "She graduated seminary on Sunday and was going to graduate high school on Thursday. I'm at a loss of words, and my heart is so broken. It's sad how fast things can change. Thanks for showing me true Christlike happiness, and for your bright smile."
Another relative posted, "Just got a call that no one should have to hear in the middle of the night. (Kathrynn) Shaw, you will be dearly missed by everyone. I still can't wrap my head around it."
A GoFundMe account was set up to help the family pay for funeral expenses. The family has also asked that donations be made to the Rock Canyon Bank of Spanish Fork in lieu of flowers.
"Kathrynn was a bundle of sunshine," organizers of the fundraiser wrote. "She always had a big smile and could light up a room when she walked in. Kathrynn was full of energy (and) optimism, and thought the best of others. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her in her short but full life."
"We love you, Kathrynn, and know you are home with our Heavenly Parents and other members of our family who have passed on," the family said in a prepared statement. "Though your time here in mortality was cut short, your life was a blessing to us all! You truly made a difference! So here's to you my 'Sweet Girl.' You graduate this life with HIGH HONORS!!! May we all be our best and do the same."