Born in 2006 and raised in Davis, Averiee was a proud daughter of Murray County. Those who knew her describe a young woman whose smile could light up a room, whose laughter was contagious, and whose empathy knew no bounds. From a young age, she expressed an interest in caring for others — whether through helping her classmates, volunteering at community events, or simply offering a listening ear to a friend in need.

“She had a healer’s soul,” said Dana McPherson, one of Averiee’s instructors at Southern Tech. “Even at 18, she had the compassion, maturity, and drive you don’t often see in someone her age. She was meant to be a nurse, or a caregiver — someone who made the world gentler for others. And she did that every single day.”

At Davis High School, where she was nearing graduation, Averiee was known for her stellar academic record, her involvement in Health Careers Education, and her nurturing leadership style. She had recently completed certification in CPR and basic patient care and was on track to complete her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential by summer — a stepping stone on her intended path to becoming a registered nurse.

“She was the kind of student every teacher hopes to have,” said Mrs. Langley, her health sciences instructor. “Smart, yes — but also diligent, humble, and full of heart. She didn’t just want to pass tests. She wanted to understand. She wanted to do good.”

Friends and classmates say Averiee often talked about working in pediatrics or oncology, two fields that, while emotionally demanding, inspired her most because of the deep human connection they required. She believed in making a difference — not someday, but now.

“She used to tell me, ‘Even if I can make one person smile, it’s worth it,’” said her best friend, Kiley Thornton. “And she did that all the time. Just by being herself.”

Outside of school, Averiee lived her life with authenticity and grace. She was deeply close to her family — particularly her mother, who she described as her role model and greatest support. She often helped care for younger relatives and was known in her neighborhood as the dependable one — the teen who would help carry groceries, babysit, or just sit on the porch and talk with an elderly neighbor.

In her free time, Averiee enjoyed painting, journaling, baking, and spending quiet evenings under the Oklahoma stars. She loved music, especially acoustic covers and Christian worship songs, and was a regular presence at her local church youth group, where she was admired for both her quiet faith and her willingness to volunteer behind the scenes.

“She didn’t seek the spotlight,” said Pastor Daniel Jones of Faith Fellowship Church. “She just wanted to serve. Her light wasn’t flashy — it was steady, warm, and real. The kind that makes you feel safe.”

The impact of Averiee’s passing has been felt far beyond her immediate circle. In the days following the crash, her classmates organized a memorial table in the high school’s foyer, covered with candles, photos, handwritten notes, and her favorite sunflowers. A “Wear Yellow for Averiee” day brought hundreds of students and staff together in her honor. Plans are currently underway for a community vigil at the high school football stadium, where friends, teachers, and family members will share stories and pay tribute to her life.

Southern Tech also issued a statement, calling Averiee “a bright and beloved member of our Health Careers program whose passion for helping others inspired her peers and instructors alike.”

“She was destined to change lives,” said Angela Howard, her clinical coordinator. “And in her 18 years, she already did. In ways many people never will.”

Averiee’s family has asked for privacy as they navigate this unimaginable grief, but in a written statement shared by the Osmundsons, they expressed their deep gratitude for the outpouring of love and support:

“Averiee was our light, our joy, our heart. She gave us 18 years of love, laughter, and beautiful memories. We ask that, in her honor, you be kind to one another. Help someone. Encourage someone. Love someone. That’s what Averiee would want.”

In tribute to her life and legacy, the Averiee Osmundson Memorial Scholarship is being established by her family in partnership with Davis High School and Southern Tech. The scholarship will support future students pursuing careers in healthcare, particularly those who demonstrate not only academic excellence but compassion and community service — qualities Averiee embodied.

“She may not have worn the nurse’s scrubs yet,” said one classmate, “but she was already caring for people. She just did it with her heart.”

In a world often rushing forward, Averiee Osmundson lived with intention and grace. Her life, though tragically brief, was filled with meaning — not because of accolades or achievements, but because of how deeply she loved and how fully she gave of herself. Whether in the hospital wings she dreamed of walking or in the classrooms she brightened with her presence, her spirit lives on.

The road where she left this world may now bear the weight of tragedy, but it will also bear her memory — a reminder that one life, lived with love and purpose, can touch countless others.

As Davis prepares to say goodbye in the days to come, the town will do so not only in sorrow, but in celebration — of who Averiee Osmundson was, and of the incredible light she gave the world in the short time she was here.