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NATCHEZ — In the words of Natchez Adams School District Superintendent Zandra McDonald, the student who died too soon as a result of the Saturday evening storm “will be remembered as being kind, respectful, confident and full of life.”

On Saturday night, family members, friends teachers and classmates of 18-year-old TyKeria Rogers watched in tears as first responders clawed through debris trying to find her. Tragically, she did not make it. Two other people inside the Westwood Road home made it out.

McDonald said the event initially left her without words.

“I am rarely at a loss to find the right words or formulate a meaningful message suitable for a moment. But, tonight I had no words,” she said. “When my daughter told me the news that was being shared, I thought surely not TyKeria.”

McDonald said TyKeria was energetic, funny and personable. She had also been a captain on the Natchez High School cheer team.

“Last year, she started talking to me about a goal she had for this school term. She set out to achieve that goal and worked to ensure she achieved it. Her mom supported her every step, making certain I remembered even from the drive-through window at work,” McDonald said.

She asked for prayers for TyKeria’s mother who she said “loved her baby girl with every fiber of her being and worked tirelessly to give her a great life.”

Larry Hooper, NASD Principal of the Options Academy, asked for help gathering monetary donations for the family’s hotel and supplies now that they are without a place to live because of the damage to their home. A GoFundMe page has been created to help them with expenses.

“Let’s be there for TyKeria’s family during their most critical time of need,” he said. “Please keep TyKeria’s family, friends and classmates in your prayers.”