A North Country community is in mourning following a deadly car crash Sunday. Our Amanda Kelley tells us how the community trying to cope in the wake of the life lost too soon.

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PHILADELPHIA, N.Y. -- Staff and students at Indian River School District are struggling with the loss of their friend and former student Nancy Lapp, 18.

"This was a student who affected so many people in a positive way. She was a student leader, a student musician, she was part of our jazz rock program. Academically she was stellar. She was our salutatorian. Everything about this lady just spoke success," said Indian River School District Superintendent Jim Kettrick.

Indian River High School Principal Troy Decker said, "She was full of life. A beautiful person inside and out. It's a terrible tragedy."

Kettrick said, "It was profoundly shocking and has been so for everyone. I had the unfortunate task of contacting many people after I was notified and I got the news yesterday around the noon hour."

Lapp was driving along County Route 26 when she lost control of her car Sunday around 9 a.m. crashing into a tree. It's shocking for many, especially those who just spoke with Nancy earlier this week.

Decker said, "The conversation left me thinking, wow this is a young lady who has an amazing future before her."

Memorials showing how Nancy's life impacted the Indian River Community continue to grow as the students are beginning to deal with the loss of their friend.

"We have students right now that are creating pictures, montages and collages and remembrances and well wishes and they're able to do so physically so that they can help their emotional challenges," Decker said.

Friends say Nancy had a love for music and many gathered in the high school's choral room to begin grieving. A process the school say's they're trying to help with as much as possible.

Kettrick said, "There are three siblings in school, the nearest of them is Amy, she is a senior. Obviously this is something we're trying to keep track of here at the high school is to see how students are doing."

School officials hope those hurting right now will find ways to honor Nancy's memory and grow stronger amid this tragedy.

"Look for the positives in the situation, look for those positive memories and then use those to build a strong foundation for the future," said Decker.

Kettrick said, "She was an incredibly happy individual, always had a smile for you. She will be terribly missed."

Lapp's father, Thomas Lapp, is the Vice President of the Indian River School Board. Official arrangements have not been finalized at this time.