Always ready with a story to tell and an ear to listen, junior Tallina “Talli” Smith could bring sunshine to the rainiest of days.

“She is the light of everyone’s life that knew her,” senior Grace Lendzion said. “Knowing her taught me compassion that I never knew before and taught me to love more than I ever thought possible, no matter how hard her days were, you would never know because she made sure that everyone around her was as happy as she was.”

Smith passed away Feb. 17 due to propionic acidemia, a rare metabolic disorder, which she has had since she was born. She was 17.

Smith is survived by her mother and father Rawlo and Brittany Smith and siblings Max, Orson and Olivia.

Smith was a part of the adapted program at Central and was adamant about spreading her joy.

In addition to being an active member of the adapted program, in her free time, Smith loved to watch YouTube videos, go to church and play on Central’s Special Olympics sports teams. Smith also loved to apply the lessons she learned from her favorite show: “Veggie Tales.”

“Talli taught us more lessons than we ever could have tried to teach her,” senior Amanda Deneve said. “She always quoted ‘Veggie Tales’ lessons.”

With her positive attitude, Smith lit up the lives of those around her.

“She was the bravest and strongest person I’ve ever met, and a true fighter,” senior Maddy Engels said.

Although Smith had been in the hospital before she passed, she didn’t let that affect her attitude.

“Talli had been singing this [from the TV show ‘Doc McStuffins’] so often the past few weeks: I feel better, so much better. Thank you Doc for taking all the ouches away!” Smith’s mom, Brittany Smith said. “While the doctors could not make Talli feel better this last time, they worked so hard so that she was comfortable and was surrounded by her family and friends that loved her so much when she departed this life.”