It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. On July 4, 2000, Craig and Fran Wheaton received a call from a Reno hospital informing them that their 17-year-old daughter, Carrie, had been in a bicycling accident.

The standout basketball and soccer player, who was preparing for her senior year at Colfax High School, died later that day.

“What truly saved us from falling into an abyss of loss is our faith and our community,” said Carrie’s sister, Nikki Wheaton, now 25. “I have never experienced the sheer outpouring of love that we received in the wake of losing Carrie. It was incredible.”

Over the days and months following the tragedy, the Meadow Vista family began to formulate a plan to give back to the community that supported them through what could only be described as a “time of dark mist.”

“She mattered so much to so many people,” said Fran Wheaton. “Her death impacted her peers very deeply. Doing the scholarship was a way to acknowledge them and to acknowledge her friends.”

As word of the scholarship spread like wildfire, donations poured in. Craig’s co-workers at CSE Insurance contributed vacation money and held a number of fundraisers. Family friends refurbished Carrie’s car, then sold it and donated the proceeds to the fund.

At Colfax High, the basketball and soccer coaches organized alumni games in her memory.

With a sizeable fund established, the Wheaton family, including Carrie’s siblings, partnered with Colfax High School teachers and counselors to develop the selection criteria for the self-perpetuating scholarship.

Spanish teacher Catherine Fox-Anderson suggested “Duende,” a Spanish word that she felt embodied the life spirit of her student.

“Duende is an inspired state of expression, living of the deepest song of the soul guided by revelation,” Fran said. “It is the spirit of mischievousness, fun and truth.”

With that in mind, the committee asked faculty to nominate students who exemplify Carrie’s “drive for doing good things beyond school academics.”

“I really think she did have the heart of a saint,” said her brother, Chris, now 25. “She wasn’t a perfect individual. She was my sister, after all. But she cared for the people around her whether or not the care was returned. She had an amazingly compassionate heart.”

Since the Class of 2001 was Carrie’s graduating class, the Wheatons awarded nine $500 scholarships that first year.

“More than $30,000 has since been given out to 66 students,” said Bobbi Jo Forsyth, a counselor at Colfax High and a member of the scholarship committee.

The presentation of the teacher-initiated scholarship has taken some recipients by surprise, said Craig.

“It was quite a surprise to me,” acknowledged Joel Hodges, 25. “I felt somewhat unworthy. At the same time I was honored. It felt good to know that I shared in something that they respected so much.”

Hodges, who is studying illustration and animation at San Jose State University, has taken the recognition to heart.

“I feel a sense of duty to live up to those standards,” he said. “I try to be genuine, honest and to let people know I care for them.”.

In the wake of their tragedy, the Wheaton family found a way to give back to the community. By honoring Carrie’s memory, they’re teaching the next generation to celebrate life.