Imagine this: a father-daughter duo, flying off for what looked like another adventure. A girl who was a dedicated student-athlete in Huntington Beach High School and her father flew in a Vans RV-10 aircraft, not knowing that this would be the last flight they’d ever take. Unfortunately, this halted when their home-built single-engine plane plunged into a manufacturing building near Fullerton Municipal Airport following a failed bid to make an emergency landing. According to the FAA’s brief report, the pilot attempted to return to the runway but could not make it before the crash.

Subsequently, the deceased was named Pascal Reid, and daughter Kelly Reid, which shocked the students of Huntington Beach High School. The Girls’ Soccer Team posted on the Facebook page, stating, “Yesterday our soccer family suffered an unimaginable loss. Kelly was a natural caregiver and always put others first. She will be deeply missed. Her father was at every single game, always so proud of his daughter.”

Known for her warmth and selflessness, Kelly was the soul of her team, with her father always cheering her on from the sidelines. And now, this student-athlete school has honored her and her father with this emotional tribute.

Two days ago, Legendary Sports Media and Huntington Beach High School paid a beautiful tribute to the student-athlete’s spirited life on Instagram. They posted a video that showed Kelly doing what she does best, running, scoring, and leaving defenders stunned. The video was aptly captioned, “In Loving Memory Of Kelly Reid…🕊️#6.”

The high school’s Girls’ Flag Football team poured their hearts into a message that read, “It is with our heavy hearts that we share the passing of Kelly Reid and her father, Pascal. Kelly was the most loving teammate, friend, and a truly remarkable person who touched the lives of so many with her kindness and warmth. She will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.”

To say that Kelly was just an athlete would be an understatement. Excelling in three sports, she poured her heart into everything she did and helped inspire and mentor so many throughout her career. The tribute that the team paid was beautiful, it noted, “Kelly was one of the most passionate athletes who strived for nothing but success in everything she did. She was a leader both on and off the field, mentoring many, as well as leaving a stamp on everyone she touched♥️.” Though her absence leaves an unfillable void, her legacy of kindness and passion will forever echo in their hearts.

The news of the student-athlete brought a lot of sorrow, and many people expressed their condolences on social media platforms. One user commented, “🥹 rest easy Kelly & Mr Reid. Prayers for your mom and family 🤍.”

But Kelly was not merely a name; it was a craze. In the fall she was unstoppable and became the first team All-Sunset League in girls’ flag football. Her statistics were off the roof: 123 receptions, 1,738 yards, and 22 touchdowns. And while those numbers cement her as a legend on the field, they barely scratch the surface of the impact she made in the hearts of everyone she touched.

The community mourns the demise of the student-athlete

In the outpouring of comments that she received, one from Kate Ross was special as she was a teammate of Kelly and also a student-athlete. “I’ll always miss our shoulder bump celebration ❤️🕊️.” The video posted by Kelly’s high school to honor her memory captured the moments where Kelly and Kate soared into the air, joyfully bumping shoulders in a victorious celebration. For Kate, losing Kelly wasn’t just about losing a teammate; it was losing a partner in those unforgettable, shared triumphs that defined their time together.

Kelly was an absolute force on the field, leading Huntington Beach High with her unmatched receiving yards and touchdowns. She became instrumental in leading the team right up to the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals while her individual displays also saw her in the running for All-County selection.

As one user rightfully said, “She was such a bright caring soul! I never saw her without a smile on her face. Sending so much love to her family🙏🏼🕊️.”

But that was not the end of the love for Kelly. Real Speed USA also joined the conversation with the following message, “Our Condolences to the family, her teammates, and all of her friends 🙏🏽.” Kelly’s impact was clearly felt far beyond the field, leaving a legacy of talent, kindness, and an unforgettable smile that will be cherished forever.

The tribute video shared by the student-athletes high school page was nothing short of heart-wrenching yet deeply beautiful. Kelly was seen on the field, running with the ball in hand, her face glowing with a radiant smile that seemed to light up the world. As Billie Eilish’s Ocean Eyes played softly in the background, it amplified the emotional weight of the moment.

The tribute given was not only memorable to the people who knew her but also to so many others. “Such a beautiful tribute. Praying for this beautiful family and all who are grieving 🙏🤍,” one user wrote.

Another one said the same, “What a beautiful tribute for a beautiful girl🕊️❤️ Saying nothing but prayers for her family tonight!” It was a heartfelt moment, honoring Kelly in a way that celebrated the joy she brought to so many lives, both on and off the field.