It was a bittersweet moment for Victor Scott's graduating class of 2008.

While parents looked proudly on at their sons and daughters, there was sadness as one of their classmates was missing. If she had lived Tyeisha Cox would yesterday have joined them in the graduating celebrations.

Tyeisha was six-years-old when she was fatally struck by a car in 2003. She was kept alive on life support for 24 hours before her family made the difficult decision to let her go.

During the otherwise happy ceremony, Tyeisha's classmates, teachers, and family paid tribute to their lost friend, with her cousin Rev. Dr. Maria Seaman making a speech that brought tears to the eyes of many in attendance.

"There should have been another graduate," Rev. Seaman said.

After Tyeisha's death, her picture was hung in her classroom, and every time her class moved up a grade, they brought the picture with them for their new classroom.

"I want this class to succeed, because every success will be a tribute to Tyeisha," said Rev. Seaman.

"Every day I read the sign, 'kill your speed, not me.' Every day I think of my cousin. Every day you should think of your child and what direction you're pointing them. Encourage them. Set standards for them."

On August 8, 2003, Tyeisha had just got off the 8C bus from Somerset with her then nine-year-old brother Tyshaun Brown outside Purvis Primary school, in Warwick. The bus stopped while the children used the crosswalk in front of the vehicle, but a car pulled out from behind the bus to overtake, striking Tyeisha.

With Tyeisha's mother Margret Moore, stepfather O'Neil Moore, and grandfather in attendance, Victor Scott principal Dr. Gina Tucker called the ceremony a "celebration of Tyeisha's life."

At the end of the tribute to the life of Tyeisha, Dr. Tucker gave a tearful Mrs. Moore a framed picture of Tyeisha, similar to the one which decorated the students classroom in the years following her tragic death.

"Tyeisha would have been here proud, dancing and singing with everyone," said Dr. Tucker. "You must keep her in your hearts."