Three months ago, on Aug. 23, Corinne Emory's life was forever changed. It was the first day of her senior year at Standley Lake High School. The day began with a quick snapshot out in the front lawn to mark the beginning of another school year. This would be the last time she'd have to endure the family tradition that began in pre-school. What we didn't know is that this day would also be the last time she would ever spend with her boyfriend, Dan Lunger.

The first day of school was typical. Friends gathered in the hallways, catching up on their summer activities, sharing hugs and laughs, already looking ahead to how they would spend the weekend. Dan and a friend even discussed their spring break plans. The school day ended and everything had gone as expected ... but then suddenly something went terribly awry.

A phone call unlike any other came from Dan's mom. It took three times of her repeating herself to absorb the words ... at the hospital ... passed out ... passed away ... Dan was gone at the young age of 16 from cardiac arrhythmia. Disbelief overtook me as I processed the news and tearfully shared it with Corinne's sisters and Dad. I had to go to the high school right away. She was at volleyball practice and I didn't want her to be with anyone else but us when she was given the devastating news that would change her world forever.

The next few days were filled with tears, laughter, plenty of hugs and support as we all came to grips with Dan's death. The gathering of friends and teammates at the pool where Dan excelled in swimming, a candlelight vigil at the school and the memorial service withmore than750 people in attendance are all but a memory. Dan's presence in our lives was a gift from God that we will treasure forever. There will never be another like him ... he had an amazing soul, Olympic dreams and a smile that he shared with everyone he met.

Three months have passed and the volleyball season is now over. But you see, life goes on and we must pick ourselves up and try to make sense of what has happened. That is exactly what Corinne has done. She easily could've closed down with a broken spirit.

But instead, she has chosen to live every day to the fullest ... for Dan. Her desire to make him proud has been evident in everything she's done. She knew all eyes were on her ... judging her, looking for answers, seeing how she would handle the grief. Ironically, while she should've been looking to others for strength, they all looked to her instead. It was as if they were following her queue on how to continue on. I wonder how an adult would've handled the kind of scrutiny that was laid on this young 17-year-old girl.

Her response to the tragedy amazed everyone. Corinne has forever changed Standley Lake High School. Anyone who has spent any amount of time there would agree that school spirit has always been lacking. But with a driving force more powerful than can be described, Corinne chose to use Dan's spirit as an impetus to turn around the school's spirit.

Poster parties became a normal occurrence at our house before each big volleyball match. The Spirit Bus to football games began to carry more and more students at Corinne's prompting. The volleyball match against Pomona was overflowing with fans -- never before had such a crowd turned out for a volleyball game! A record-breaking turnout for the homecoming dance amazed everyone. Could this really be Standley Lake High School?

Standley Lake's assistant principal, Vicki Hillberry, and the school's head volleyball coach, Heather Martin, recently attributed the surge in spirit completely to Corinne's efforts. But she didn't act alone. No ... Dan was there holding her hand through it all, reveling in the excitement. We all have learned a valuable lesson in how to turn tragedy into something positive. School spirit is finally back at Standley Lake High School ... doesn't it feel great?

As we approach Thanksgiving, why not take a moment to give thanks for those people who make your life worth living, and to recognize the power that is within each of us.

Author's Note: To my dear daughter Corinne, you inspire me like no other. Thank you for showing us the way.