Sandpoint Mourns Loss of Two Young Women Friends Were Both Members of the SHS Class of 2012 By Patty Hutchens
Kayle Porter with Veronica Aispuro. Photo courtesy of Veronica Aispuro.
Kayle Porter celebrates her 2012 graduation from Sandpoint High School. Photo by Kari Saccomanno.
F
or the Sandpoint High School graduating class of 2012, the past two months have been a time of extreme sorrow. Having already lost two of their classmates, Will Johnson and Elisabeth Cole, during their high school years, they recently lost two more classmates over the course of less than two weeks. All these young lives were cut short either by a tragic accident or illness, leaving their friends asking many questions. Questions for which there are no answers. Kayle Porter was known to many in this town and was admired for her exceptional work ethic, friendly nature and bright smile. Kayle worked at many local establishments over the course of the last several years, most recently at Shoga Sushi Bar and at the downtown Starbucks. She also was a full time student at North Idaho Community College. Her had work was driven by her dream to attend NYU next year. She loved to travel, enjoyed a sense of adventure and thought New York City would be an exciting place to live. Tragically, on November 27th Kayle’s vehicle was struck by a train
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Mikaela Zener with Veronica Aispuro. Photo courtesy of Veronica Aispuro.
at an uncontrolled train crossing. The accident left the community stunned and saddened. Then just 11 days later her friend and classmate Mikaela Zener passed away from complications from epilepsy. Again the community was left with just one question. Why? While there are no answers, there is the love and support of this exceptional community that is helping those who were affected by these tragedies. And the stories of these young women that have been shared in the days since their deaths are ones that not only bring comfort, but also inspire others to live their lives the way these young women did – taking advantage of every opportunity to make a