Cheerleader remembered for smile and dedication

The Southern Boone County High School junior who died in an early morning car crash Wednesday was a varsity cheerleader with college plans.

Amanda Nowlin, 16, died when her car was struck by an SUV at 7:22 a.m. at Route H and U.S. 63.

She and her sister Bethany, 11, were on their way to school when the accident occurred.

Nowlin had been on the cheerleading team for two years, coach Carol Cronhardt said.

“She was a good cheerleader,” Cronhardt said. “She was always on time and always had a smile on her face. She knew what she needed to do and did it.”

Cheerleading consumed all of Nowlin’s free time, Cronhardt said, and it’s where she made most of her friends.

“Those girls spend a lot of time together,” Cronhardt said. “They had to get along.”

Nowlin “made good grades” and had a good reputation with the high school faculty, Cronhardt said.

She also had plans to go to college. Cronhardt said she often overheard Nowlin and her friends talking about Truman State University.

The general feeling at the high school Wednesday was one of shock and disbelief, Cronhardt said. Nowlin was seen Tuesday cheerleading at a basketball game.

“Everyone was numb,” she said. “Anyone who knew her was probably crying.”

An announcement was made at school, and a statement about her death was read in each classroom, Principal Johnny Thompson said.

Students who wanted to be with their friends to talk about what had happened were invited to go to the auditorium where counselors were on hand to provide support. Thompson said 150 or so of the school’s 450 student population went to the auditorium.

Cronhardt said “Why does this keep happening?” was the question on the minds of teachers and students Wednesday.

“I’ve been at the school nine years, and this is the sixth student

we’ve lost in those nine years,” Thompson said.

“Way too many Ashland kids are dying,” said Price Nichols, public information officer for the Southern Boone County Fire District. Nichols was at the scene of the accident Wednesday morning and was on the scene of two other teen deaths.

Last June, two Ashland teenagers were killed when the ATV they were driving veered off the road and struck a tree.

“It’s not been a good year,” Thompson said.

“We go on,” Cronhardt said, alluding to the losses the school has suffered. “But we don’t forget. Time will be our salvation.”