The Palmetto community comes together during times of happiness, as well as times of grief, such as when one of our fellow Panthers passed away this month. Samantha Jade Trebbi, a sophomore at Palmetto, passed away on October 11 after being admitted for strep throat at Baptist Hospital.

Born on April 11, 1995 at Baptist Hospital, Sam was a happy and bright child and continued on to become an involved and spirited Panther. Sam was part of the Health Occupational Student Association (HOSA), HIV Peer Educators, Italian Club, Photography Club and Gay Straight Alliance (GSA).

Samantha is survived by many family members, including her father, Bob, her mother, April, and her brother, Zachary, as well as many friends who will miss her dearly. Her boyfriend, sophomore Demichri Weyne-Ellis, reflects upon Samantha’s trademark characteristics that made her who she was.

“She [Samantha] was fun-loving, adventurous and easygoing,” Weyne-Ellis said. “She was able to make anyone smile.”

Samantha’s teachers will also miss their student who was a shining presence amongst her peers and in the classroom.

Her service was held on October 14 at the Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapel at Mt. Nebo Kendall.

One of her best friends, sophomore Celeste Estevez, shared what made Sam a special person.

“She is a really important person and a really good friend. She is just one of those people that when you see them, you would smile,” Estevez said. “She was friendly and funny. She has a beautiful everything: personality, person, everything”

Samantha will live forever in the hearts of all who knew her and will be dearly missed by the Palmetto staff, students and community.