TYLER, Texas — It’s been over two and a half years since the death of a Tyler High School athlete devastated her family and graduating senior class of 2021. Patrianna Pettigrew's mother, LaRhonda Cuba, said she continues to take her only child's death one day at a time.
"Every day is a struggle but it’s just learning how to live without her," Cuba said. " I called her my sun, my little sunshine because she could light up a room, light up your day."
Pettigrew was described by her mother as a ball of fire. She was just days away from her senior year prom and graduation day.
Pettigrew's life was tragically taken after her friend wrecked their vehicle on State Highway 31 on May 1, 2021.
"I lost a part of me that, I can't describe the feeling to lose your only child," Cuba said.
As of November 29th, that friend has taken a guilty plea deal for criminal negligent homicide and will now serve five years of deferred adjudication.
"They had a great relationship," Cuba said. "She was just like another daughter. They did everything together, she called her a big sister. Really on that we all lost, nobody won and the decision that was made of course it was in God's will. That's all I have to say on that."
Ever since her loss, Cuba has found a new way to keep her daughter’s name alive through The "Paye Day" Scholarship for high school students.
"That's been going on for two years," Cuba said. "We were able to provide two senior high school students a total of $1,000 with two laptops. So in the end, I want to make sure that it gets bigger and bigger. It keeps me smiling. It's one way to help me heal is doing something that's representing her. she may not be here physically, but spiritually, she's all around me."
Cuba said helping others under her daughter's name helps her heal. She knows Pettigrew isn't physically here anymore, but that spiritually she knows her daughter is all around her.
In the last two years the scholarship was just available to students at Tyler High and Tyler Legacy High School, but this year it’s now open to surrounding East Texas schools from Big Sandy to Jacksonville. She hopes to help an additional two students live the life her daughter couldn’t have.
To apply for this scholarship, message The "Paye Day" Scholarship Facebook page or email Cuba at ppettigrew2022@gmail.com.