BY KILEY ANGLE
Northwest sophomore, Tess Smith, was in a horrific skiing accident last weekend. Smith was on vacation with a friend’s family in Breckenridge, Colorado.
“When I heard about Tess’s situation I was absolutely devastated, and I actually missed my scene in a musical I was in,” Kennedy Kerr, 10, said. “Because I was so concerned for her and sending all my love to her and her loved ones.”
Unresponsive to doctors requests, Smith’s friends and family took to social media to spread awareness for the Wichita teen.
“We’d met on several occasions, and I consider her a friend of mine,” Kerr said. “She has the most beautiful smile and her laugh is just so contagious, kindness just radiates from her.”
The GoFundMe page was established to raise money for medical costs, bringing Tess home and as well as the service that will be held in her honor.
“I heard about the GoFundMe page for Tess when a bunch of people started retweeting it,” Ashley Slaughter, 10, said. “I didn’t know her personally, but I knew some people that did and she just sounded like an amazing person to be around.”
Meeting their first goal of $5,000 within a couple hours of posting the page, the goal raised to $12,000 and was raised by 310 people giving them a total of $14,000 worth of donations. Even students at South are helping to raise money offline. Kennedy Kerr, 10, is offering to do prom makeup and plans to give all proceeds and donations to the family of Tess Smith.
“I wanted to do anything I possibly could to help her out, even just a little bit,” Kerr said. “When the idea of doing makeup and giving all the money I made to her expenses came to me.”
Awareness for Tess Smith was spread throughout the weekend. People from all over came together to send their prayers, and love towards the Smith family.
“I chose to spread awareness about Tess because she is my age and no one deserves to die this young,” Jonah Clevenger, 9, said. “We, at this age, haven’t even had a chance to experience life.”
By Mar. 7 the GoFundMe page had received 379 donations, and had raised over $17,000. The funeral service will be held Mar. 11.
