The mood at Rancho Buena Vista High School on Monday was somber, according to its principal.
Michael Pyper was returning home from a Rancho Buena Vista football game Friday night when he lost control of his car.
"He'd want every one of you to hold your head up high and live your life the way he would," Brian Sandoval said about his friend on Monday, "and spread the message of joy."
Pyper was killed in a car crash on Lake Boulevard in Oceanside.The 17-year-old, who graduated from Rancho Buena Vista last year, would have turned 18 on Sunday. On Sunday, his friends created a huge memorial at the site of the accident.
"I miss him a lot," Maria Acevedo said Sunday. "I'm going to always miss him. We all have a part of him now. He touched us all, and I'm blessed to be his mother."
In his memory, the school's football team plans to put stickers with Michael's initials on their helmets. During the game on Oct. 9, there will be a moment of silence and a story about Michael in the program.
The school is also considering doing something to remind all students to slow down while driving and wear their seat belts.
