I received a call on Monday October 19 that one of my students, Tracy, who also has blogged for me as "a budding journalist", passed away today. October 20 would have been her 19th birthday.  I was completely in shock, and denial, so I called the campus police at Mizzou (University of Missouri) and they confirmed it.  Tracy collapsed on her way to class.  A blood clot traveled from her leg to her lungs, and she is gone. I am mourning a promising young life as well as a friend.  My thoughts remain with her parents who just received the nightmare call that every parent fears.  I cannot begin to imagine the pain they are feeling.  And I am thinking of Tracy.... bright, talented, and oh so enthusiastic Tracy.

I met Tracy when she was a junior at Richardson High School. She did not know what she wanted to do in college, become an actor/singer or a journalist. She decided on journalism, and was overjoyed when she was accepted at Mizzou, one of the best journalism schools around. Tracy was at RHS with my son, Wes, so she came over for parties and "hang outs".  I watched her perform at RHS as she was in the theater magnet. We worked together in my office on her applications, putting her essays together, double checking applications and discussing summer opportunities...and laughing. We did quite a bit of laughing.

Tracy happily blogged for me when she went to Mizzou. Her blogs are a testament to her excitement about being at Mizzou and her enjoyment of college, her classes, her writing, and her social life. She always bubbled over joyfully with all of her experiences, always finding the positive in situations that others might consider negative. She was consistent and prompt with her blogs, and happy to share photos.  You can read her blogs at http://collegeadventures.net/blog/category/student-bloggers/a-budding-journalists-college-adventures/. 

 Funeral Services are at Temple Shalom on Thursday, 10a.m.  Tracy will be sorely missed.  

Tam Warner Minton MS is an independent college consultant and founder of Tam Warner Minton's College Adventures Blog.