GARDINER, Maine — Six years ago, the Gardiner community suffered a devastating loss when Tabytha Hembree was involved in a tragic accident on her way to school.
Jennifer Hembree, Taby's mother, said, "[Taby] and her brother left for school, and at the end of our road, she made a mistake as teenagers do, and crossed in front of a truck and the gentleman accidentally hit them. She suffered a traumatic brain injury and passed away the next day."
Her family has since created the Tabytha Jean Hembree Legacy Foundation to keep her name alive and to support other students.
Since Taby never got to finish high school and all the events that come along with it, such as walking at graduation or attending her senior prom, her family organized a Father-Daughter Dance, which has become an annual event.
Additionally, the family created a scholarship fund in Taby's name for students in the community. The scholarship is not based on grades but rather on character and is awarded to two recipients each year.
"The person has to be nominated by a community member, coach, teacher, or classmate; they can't be nominated by a family member," Jennifer said.
Most of the funding for the scholarship program comes from the Father-Daughter Dance, which has grown to attract nearly 400 people this year.
Volunteers spent the day preparing the Gardiner Area High School cafeteria, transforming it with streamers and glitter, just as Taby would have liked it.
Taby's former teacher, Raye Anne DeSoto, said. "Taby is just one of those people that inspired you, and as an adult, a community member, I always look for the Taby's in the world."
If Taby were here today, her mother believes that she would be thrilled to see the impact her memory is having on the community.
"Oh, she would be so excited," Jennifer said. "We see her in the magic, in the purple teal and glitter and the fun, and she is here for us."
Though Taby never got to attend college, her legacy lives on in the form of the scholarship fund, helping other students in the community achieve their dreams.
If you want to nominate someone for a scholarship through the foundation, applications are due next week to the school.