"Anytime you loose somebody to the flu you think you get the flu and you get over it in a couple of days," says Russell Withrow of Nitro.

But for Emily Kaitlyn Sims,15, a student at Saint Albans High School, she suffered from the flu, and that sickness is believed to have contributed to her death. Friends describe her as fun-loving and outgoing and say it still seems like a dream that she's gone.

"It was just a shock, like everybody was in shock that we saw like she's dead, like a freshman and she's dead. It was a shock," says Cara Chaney, a student at Saint Albans High School

Jill Sallade, Emily's kindergarten teacher, describes her former pupil as an awesome student and awesome person.

"She represents the best of teenagers morally, ethically and academically in all areas. Just a fabulous person. Great loss to the St. Albans community," says Sallade.

Emily's memory is expected to live on in the hearts and minds of friends at Saint Albans High School.

"I'll just remember her as that girl that makes everyone want to smile," says Chaney.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there have been more than ten influenza-associated pediatric deaths this month in the country.