MARION COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) – It’s a happy time for most Pine Belt families as graduation gets closer.
But for Tabitha Taylor, it’s a reminder of what could have been.
“She never got to start high school, go to prom or get her license,” Taylor said.
The tears were hard to hold back as Taylor remembered her daughter, Mia Trujillo.
“She loved life and helping people,” Taylor said.
The 14-year-old was a student at West Marion when she was hit by a drunk driver in 2021.
Despite being young, Taylor said Trujillo already had much of her life mapped out.
“She wanted to grow up and be a counselor for troubled teens,” said Taylor.
Since Trujillo’s passing, her mother has been pouring her grief into a foundation named after her daughter.
The goal is to make sure no one else loses their life to drunk driving.
“I just want to give someone else a chance,” Taylor said.
The foundation is set to award one graduating West Marion student with a scholarship in May.
“That would make my baby proud and keep her memory alive,” Taylor said.
More than 20 businesses have stepped in to help across the county.
Taylor tells WDAM 7 they haven’t set an amount for the scholarship.
All monies raised will go directly to the student selected.
“If anyone would like to donate or help, they can get with me either on CashApp ($tabithat82), in-person or on Facebook,” Taylor said.
While the scholarship brings her some peace, Taylor said she can’t help but wonder what life would be like with Mia still here.
“After she passed, I had several people come to me and tell me that they’re still alive because of Mia,” said Taylor.
Jeremy Stringer was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in Mia’s death.
The family will have a raffle drawing on May 3 for all tickets purchased.
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