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In her 18 years of life, Kamiak High School senior Chlöe Nuttbrock made a huge impact on her family, friends, school, work community, and even the nation.

Many knew Chlöe as a leader in the school's Unified Sports program, in which Special Olympics athletes or students with special needs are partnered with Unified Partners or student peers. Chlöe also was selected as a U.S. Youth Ambassador for the Special Olympics, where she was a strong advocate for inclusivity.

But Chlöe was much more than an athlete or a champion for those with intellectual disabilities.

She was a talented musician who played five instruments and was a member of the jazz band, wind ensemble, and Show Band. She worked as a swim instructor and lifeguard at the Lynnwood Recreation Center.

She had recently decided to attend Gonzaga University, where she planned to study special education and eventually hoped to become a special education teacher. She had received a Dussault academic scholarship from Gonzaga.

Chlöe suffered an aneurysm early Thursday, March 16, and died that night, surrounded by her family.

A celebration of life is 2 p.m. Sunday, April 2, in Kamiak High School's main gym, with a reception to follow. A GoFundMe account – http://bit.ly/40i0uE9 – has been set up to help the family with medical and funeral expenses.

Chlöe's mother, Erika, is a teacher at Kamiak. In the days since her daughter's death, a number of family members and friends have shared the same quote with Erika when describing Chlöe – "She was the very best parts of all of us."

Many members of the Kamiak student community have reached out to those who knew Chlöe to let them know how much she meant to them.

"Students expressed that she was their best friend. I'm talking 20 kids," Kamiak teacher and Unified Sports coach Georgia McClaskey said. "She devoted her time and energy to developing meaningful friendships. Our community is hurting. They lost their best friend. She was that person for so many people."

McClaskey had known Chlöe since she was born. McClaskey and her mother hosted Erika's baby shower, and McClaskey later was Chlöe's nanny.

"She truly was my family," McClaskey said. "I got the opportunity to serve as a mentor to her just as Erika was a mentor to me. It was full circle."

When it comes to describing Chlöe's work in Unified Sports at Kamiak and as a U.S. Youth Ambassador for the Special Olympics, McClaskey uses the word "inclusivity."

"She was a pillar in our program in establishing inclusive leadership opportunities for people," McClaskey said. "She took it to the state level and national level as a youth ambassador. Her ripple affects the entire nation.

"The footprints she left will help us carry on her legacy as we move forward."

McClaskey said she and the family are working with the school and several organizations on projects to carry on in Chlöe's name.

The band program was a huge part of Chlöe's life. Some of the kindest comments Erika has received are from younger students who she helped mentor. One sophomore told Erika that her daughter was a true friend to her.

"They are also mourning a giant loss," Erika said.

Chlöe worked with both regular and adaptive swimmers as an instructor at the Lynnwood Rec Center. It was a job Chlöe absolutely adored, and the feeling was mutual among her students and the other instructors and lifeguards.

"Not only did she love her job, but the kids also loved on her," Erika said. "She loved her crew mates, and she literally loved her job. It was another whole community that she really enjoyed."

Chlöe was enrolled in the careers in education class last year. As part of the program, she was able to participate in a student teaching internship at Columbia Elementary School.

Photo courtesy of the Nuttbrock family

Chlöe plays the saxophone. She was a talented musician.

"She got to teach second graders," Erika said. "The parents of the second graders have been sending so many messages saying how they loved Chlöe. She was a household name for their 7-year-olds."

That Chlöe left such an impression was no surprise.

"She gave her all to every community," McClaskey said.

Chlöe is survived by her mother, Erika Nuttbrock; her father, Matthew Nuttbrock and his wife, Karisa; siblings Parker Nuttbrock and Brooklyn Nuttbrock; grandmothers Colleen Nuttbrock, Anna Pasztirko, and Bonnie Wakefield; aunts Sarah, Molly, Susan, and Paula; uncles Ryan, Jason, Joshua, Mark, and John; as well as countless cousins, extended family, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that donations be made in Chlöe's honor to the Kamiak Performing Arts Boosters to fund an annual legacy scholarship in her name.