Tara Rose McAvoy's death has truly impacted the Miss Deaf Texas Pageant committee, all the contestants that competed with her and the Texas Association of the Deaf Board Members. It has not only impacted certain people, it has impacted the Deaf Community as a whole. Many people knew Tara very well and she was a young lady who always strived to achieve for the best in her life. When she won the title in June, we immediately knew that she would represent Texas with dignity and pride. Tara was looking forward to going to the national pageant this summer and could not wait to meet 27 other contestants that are also vying for the title of Miss Deaf America. The last time Laura Loeb Hill spoke with Tara was Monday, March 6th on-line, we were teasing each other and talking about going to California, I had informed her that I had already purchased her airline ticket and she was so excited about representing Texas.
Tara would have done her talent on "You have to be Deaf to Understand". She did an outstanding job performing this at the state pageant and the audience loved it. Along with winning the title of Miss Deaf Texas, she also won Best Platform Presentation and that presentation would have been used throughout her reign when she made public appearances. Tara was asked "How would I encourage today's youth to succeed in this ever-changing world?" She had three answers: 1) Attitude, 2) Sportsmanship, and 3) "Doing Your Best" in school. She advises them to be proactive for these three answers. Attitude is what matters the most, The power of attitude and influence can destroy a person, or build a country or nation.
Portray the right attitude for such situations. Tara also encouraged today's youth to have good sportsmanship so that they can play again because their sportsmanship is well-honored. They will learn a lot by playing more and display good sportsmanship. She also would encourage today's youth to pursue their education and stay in school, which is the best advice I could ever get and could ever give. Knowledge is power so I hope they will always do their best in school, and take it to the most maximum possibilities. She strongly emphasizes this quote, "Education that our youth receive nowadays is amazingly free compared to other countries and I really encourage them not to take it for granted!" Tara will be sorely missed by the Deaf Community. She was a recent graduate of Texas School for the Deaf where she was very involved in Cheerleading, Basketball, and track. She was also involved with drama, photography and Jr. NAD. While Tara was at MSSD during her Junior year, she was able to do her internship in the Deaf Studies/ASL department on the Gallaudet campus and at the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) with the NAD youth program coordinator, Jennifer Yost. Both were wonderful experiences!
Tara attended Austin Community College during the fall of 2005 then transferred to Gallaudet University in January of 2006. After a short stay at Gallaudet, she returned home to Austin where she lived until her death. Tara reached the lives of many people and touched those who looked up to her as their role model. Tara was not just simply a beauty queen but was an ambassador for the Deaf community. She was a role model for the younger generation and exhibited high qualities as Miss Deaf Texas for the Lone Star state. Tara left behind a legacy that will always be remembered. She represented Texas with dignity and pride that will always hold a very special place in our hearts. Tara will be honored at the Miss Deaf America pageant this summer with a special tribute. Tara's beautiful smile and character will always be cherished by everyone who knew her!
Written by; Laura Loeb Hill, State Pageant Dire
Austin police are starting to get a clearer picture of how a deaf teen was killed by a train.
"We just believe that she may have had her attention and her focus on the text messaging device," said David Fugitt with the Austin Police Department. "Being that she is hearing-impaired, she may not have heard the horn sounding as the train approached."
Police say 18-year-old Tara McAvoy was walking alongside the tracks in South Austin toward her mother's workplace Monday when a snow plow, jutting about a foot off the Union Pacific train, struck and killed her.
Friends say Tara had everything going for her. She was the reigning Miss Deaf Texas, a graduate from the Texas School For The Deaf and an active participant in various clubs.
Police are still investigating her death. They tell KXAN that the snow plow juts out about 16 inches from each side of the train.
Neighbors tell us they're shocked, but not altogether surprised, by Monday's tragedy. They say they've witnessed cars dragged down tracks, photographers clipped by boxcars, and homeless people hit on the same rails.
"It's a tragedy," said Robert Ramos, who lives near the railroad tracks. "Especially for a young girl like that, it's heartbreaking."
THIS BIO USED INFO FROM MEMORIAL WEBSITES AS WELL FROM LOCAL AUSTIN MEDIA COVERAGE.
Tara would have done her talent on "You have to be Deaf to Understand". She did an outstanding job performing this at the state pageant and the audience loved it. Along with winning the title of Miss Deaf Texas, she also won Best Platform Presentation and that presentation would have been used throughout her reign when she made public appearances. Tara was asked "How would I encourage today's youth to succeed in this ever-changing world?" She had three answers: 1) Attitude, 2) Sportsmanship, and 3) "Doing Your Best" in school. She advises them to be proactive for these three answers. Attitude is what matters the most, The power of attitude and influence can destroy a person, or build a country or nation.
Portray the right attitude for such situations. Tara also encouraged today's youth to have good sportsmanship so that they can play again because their sportsmanship is well-honored. They will learn a lot by playing more and display good sportsmanship. She also would encourage today's youth to pursue their education and stay in school, which is the best advice I could ever get and could ever give. Knowledge is power so I hope they will always do their best in school, and take it to the most maximum possibilities. She strongly emphasizes this quote, "Education that our youth receive nowadays is amazingly free compared to other countries and I really encourage them not to take it for granted!" Tara will be sorely missed by the Deaf Community. She was a recent graduate of Texas School for the Deaf where she was very involved in Cheerleading, Basketball, and track. She was also involved with drama, photography and Jr. NAD. While Tara was at MSSD during her Junior year, she was able to do her internship in the Deaf Studies/ASL department on the Gallaudet campus and at the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) with the NAD youth program coordinator, Jennifer Yost. Both were wonderful experiences!
Tara attended Austin Community College during the fall of 2005 then transferred to Gallaudet University in January of 2006. After a short stay at Gallaudet, she returned home to Austin where she lived until her death. Tara reached the lives of many people and touched those who looked up to her as their role model. Tara was not just simply a beauty queen but was an ambassador for the Deaf community. She was a role model for the younger generation and exhibited high qualities as Miss Deaf Texas for the Lone Star state. Tara left behind a legacy that will always be remembered. She represented Texas with dignity and pride that will always hold a very special place in our hearts. Tara will be honored at the Miss Deaf America pageant this summer with a special tribute. Tara's beautiful smile and character will always be cherished by everyone who knew her!
Written by; Laura Loeb Hill, State Pageant Dire
Austin police are starting to get a clearer picture of how a deaf teen was killed by a train.
"We just believe that she may have had her attention and her focus on the text messaging device," said David Fugitt with the Austin Police Department. "Being that she is hearing-impaired, she may not have heard the horn sounding as the train approached."
Police say 18-year-old Tara McAvoy was walking alongside the tracks in South Austin toward her mother's workplace Monday when a snow plow, jutting about a foot off the Union Pacific train, struck and killed her.
Friends say Tara had everything going for her. She was the reigning Miss Deaf Texas, a graduate from the Texas School For The Deaf and an active participant in various clubs.
Police are still investigating her death. They tell KXAN that the snow plow juts out about 16 inches from each side of the train.
Neighbors tell us they're shocked, but not altogether surprised, by Monday's tragedy. They say they've witnessed cars dragged down tracks, photographers clipped by boxcars, and homeless people hit on the same rails.
"It's a tragedy," said Robert Ramos, who lives near the railroad tracks. "Especially for a young girl like that, it's heartbreaking."
THIS BIO USED INFO FROM MEMORIAL WEBSITES AS WELL FROM LOCAL AUSTIN MEDIA COVERAGE.
Tara Rose McAvoy's death has truly impacted the Miss Deaf Texas Pageant committee, all the contestants that competed with her and the Texas Association of the Deaf Board Members. It has not only impacted certain people, it has impacted the Deaf Community as a whole. Many people knew Tara very well and she was a young lady who always strived to achieve for the best in her life. When she won the title in June, we immediately knew that she would represent Texas with dignity and pride. Tara was looking forward to going to the national pageant this summer and could not wait to meet 27 other contestants that are also vying for the title of Miss Deaf America. The last time Laura Loeb Hill spoke with Tara was Monday, March 6th on-line, we were teasing each other and talking about going to California, I had informed her that I had already purchased her airline ticket and she was so excited about representing Texas.
Tara would have done her talent on "You have to be Deaf to Understand". She did an outstanding job performing this at the state pageant and the audience loved it. Along with winning the title of Miss Deaf Texas, she also won Best Platform Presentation and that presentation would have been used throughout her reign when she made public appearances. Tara was asked "How would I encourage today's youth to succeed in this ever-changing world?" She had three answers: 1) Attitude, 2) Sportsmanship, and 3) "Doing Your Best" in school. She advises them to be proactive for these three answers. Attitude is what matters the most, The power of attitude and influence can destroy a person, or build a country or nation.
Portray the right attitude for such situations. Tara also encouraged today's youth to have good sportsmanship so that they can play again because their sportsmanship is well-honored. They will learn a lot by playing more and display good sportsmanship. She also would encourage today's youth to pursue their education and stay in school, which is the best advice I could ever get and could ever give. Knowledge is power so I hope they will always do their best in school, and take it to the most maximum possibilities. She strongly emphasizes this quote, "Education that our youth receive nowadays is amazingly free compared to other countries and I really encourage them not to take it for granted!" Tara will be sorely missed by the Deaf Community. She was a recent graduate of Texas School for the Deaf where she was very involved in Cheerleading, Basketball, and track. She was also involved with drama, photography and Jr. NAD. While Tara was at MSSD during her Junior year, she was able to do her internship in the Deaf Studies/ASL department on the Gallaudet campus and at the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) with the NAD youth program coordinator, Jennifer Yost. Both were wonderful experiences!
Tara attended Austin Community College during the fall of 2005 then transferred to Gallaudet University in January of 2006. After a short stay at Gallaudet, she returned home to Austin where she lived until her death. Tara reached the lives of many people and touched those who looked up to her as their role model. Tara was not just simply a beauty queen but was an ambassador for the Deaf community. She was a role model for the younger generation and exhibited high qualities as Miss Deaf Texas for the Lone Star state. Tara left behind a legacy that will always be remembered. She represented Texas with dignity and pride that will always hold a very special place in our hearts. Tara will be honored at the Miss Deaf America pageant this summer with a special tribute. Tara's beautiful smile and character will always be cherished by everyone who knew her!
Written by; Laura Loeb Hill, State Pageant Dire
Austin police are starting to get a clearer picture of how a deaf teen was killed by a train.
"We just believe that she may have had her attention and her focus on the text messaging device," said David Fugitt with the Austin Police Department. "Being that she is hearing-impaired, she may not have heard the horn sounding as the train approached."
Police say 18-year-old Tara McAvoy was walking alongside the tracks in South Austin toward her mother's workplace Monday when a snow plow, jutting about a foot off the Union Pacific train, struck and killed her.
Friends say Tara had everything going for her. She was the reigning Miss Deaf Texas, a graduate from the Texas School For The Deaf and an active participant in various clubs.
Police are still investigating her death. They tell KXAN that the snow plow juts out about 16 inches from each side of the train.
Neighbors tell us they're shocked, but not altogether surprised, by Monday's tragedy. They say they've witnessed cars dragged down tracks, photographers clipped by boxcars, and homeless people hit on the same rails.
"It's a tragedy," said Robert Ramos, who lives near the railroad tracks. "Especially for a young girl like that, it's heartbreaking."
THIS BIO USED INFO FROM MEMORIAL WEBSITES AS WELL FROM LOCAL AUSTIN MEDIA COVERAGE.
Tara would have done her talent on "You have to be Deaf to Understand". She did an outstanding job performing this at the state pageant and the audience loved it. Along with winning the title of Miss Deaf Texas, she also won Best Platform Presentation and that presentation would have been used throughout her reign when she made public appearances. Tara was asked "How would I encourage today's youth to succeed in this ever-changing world?" She had three answers: 1) Attitude, 2) Sportsmanship, and 3) "Doing Your Best" in school. She advises them to be proactive for these three answers. Attitude is what matters the most, The power of attitude and influence can destroy a person, or build a country or nation.
Portray the right attitude for such situations. Tara also encouraged today's youth to have good sportsmanship so that they can play again because their sportsmanship is well-honored. They will learn a lot by playing more and display good sportsmanship. She also would encourage today's youth to pursue their education and stay in school, which is the best advice I could ever get and could ever give. Knowledge is power so I hope they will always do their best in school, and take it to the most maximum possibilities. She strongly emphasizes this quote, "Education that our youth receive nowadays is amazingly free compared to other countries and I really encourage them not to take it for granted!" Tara will be sorely missed by the Deaf Community. She was a recent graduate of Texas School for the Deaf where she was very involved in Cheerleading, Basketball, and track. She was also involved with drama, photography and Jr. NAD. While Tara was at MSSD during her Junior year, she was able to do her internship in the Deaf Studies/ASL department on the Gallaudet campus and at the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) with the NAD youth program coordinator, Jennifer Yost. Both were wonderful experiences!
Tara attended Austin Community College during the fall of 2005 then transferred to Gallaudet University in January of 2006. After a short stay at Gallaudet, she returned home to Austin where she lived until her death. Tara reached the lives of many people and touched those who looked up to her as their role model. Tara was not just simply a beauty queen but was an ambassador for the Deaf community. She was a role model for the younger generation and exhibited high qualities as Miss Deaf Texas for the Lone Star state. Tara left behind a legacy that will always be remembered. She represented Texas with dignity and pride that will always hold a very special place in our hearts. Tara will be honored at the Miss Deaf America pageant this summer with a special tribute. Tara's beautiful smile and character will always be cherished by everyone who knew her!
Written by; Laura Loeb Hill, State Pageant Dire
Austin police are starting to get a clearer picture of how a deaf teen was killed by a train.
"We just believe that she may have had her attention and her focus on the text messaging device," said David Fugitt with the Austin Police Department. "Being that she is hearing-impaired, she may not have heard the horn sounding as the train approached."
Police say 18-year-old Tara McAvoy was walking alongside the tracks in South Austin toward her mother's workplace Monday when a snow plow, jutting about a foot off the Union Pacific train, struck and killed her.
Friends say Tara had everything going for her. She was the reigning Miss Deaf Texas, a graduate from the Texas School For The Deaf and an active participant in various clubs.
Police are still investigating her death. They tell KXAN that the snow plow juts out about 16 inches from each side of the train.
Neighbors tell us they're shocked, but not altogether surprised, by Monday's tragedy. They say they've witnessed cars dragged down tracks, photographers clipped by boxcars, and homeless people hit on the same rails.
"It's a tragedy," said Robert Ramos, who lives near the railroad tracks. "Especially for a young girl like that, it's heartbreaking."
THIS BIO USED INFO FROM MEMORIAL WEBSITES AS WELL FROM LOCAL AUSTIN MEDIA COVERAGE.
