An accident along Highway 78 near Stanford back in June still touches the classmates 17-year-old Lenora Parker left behind. She would have been a senior at Lincoln County High School this year.

"With her death occurring over the summer, we never really got a chance to do anything as a senior class;" explained Connie Howerton, the Senior Class Sponsor at the school. "We got together today and dedicated a tree to her here at the school."

More than 200 seniors gathered on the front lawn around a small tree, sharing memories about their beloved classmate.

"You could tell Lenora touched a lot of groups," explained Howerton.

Howerton describes Parker as a cheerleader who loved to dance and sing who'd grown up with many of her classmates and teachers.

"I was a preschool teacher and I actually had Lenora in my preschool class," Howerton continued. "I've known her a long time. It's hard.... A hard thing for kids to learn. Being there together was a good chance to share."

Family members say Parker loved the high school and had some of her happiest moments there. That's why many say the tree makes them feel like she never really left.