Teresa and Taylor Kemp | BIO

In July 2009, The Southeast, Kansas community lost two incredible people. The lives of Teresa Kemp and her thirteen-year-old daughter, Taylor Kemp were taken in a tragic car accident. Teresa Kemp, a passionate educator and a dear friend of Riverton USD #404, was raised in Riverton and became a teacher and coach at the school she loved. Teresa had a passion for teaching and brought energy and enthusiasm everyday to the school district. She coached volleyball and track and field and continued her education to achieve both Masters and Education Specialist Degrees.

Taylor Kemp, an exemplary child beyond her years, stated that, “The word impossible is not in my dictionary”. She was described as an angel on earth. Her giving spirit was evidenced in 2003, when at the age of seven, she informed her parents that she wanted to donate to the Locks of Love program. Taylor was an outstanding student-athlete and throughout her years in the Riverton School District she participated in cheerleading, volleyball, basketball and track and field. Taylor was an honor student who also played the clarinet and violin and sang in the school choir. One of Taylor’s last acts of giving was volunteering her time to assist in the Vacation Bible School program at Riverton Friends Church.

In the days that followed this tragic accident, the family was presented with the choice of organ donation. This decision was made based on Teresa’s choice to be an organ donor which was indicated on her drivers license as well as discussions held within their family prior to the accident. Their kind and generous spirit continues to live on as more than sixty people have been touched by their donations of life.

The community of Riverton and the surrounding areas were deeply affected by the loss of the girls. On July 30th, the Teresa and Taylor Kemp Memorial Fund was established. The focus of this memorial is to fund projects that will directly benefit the Riverton School District.

Over six hundred “Donate Life” wristbands have been distributed throughout the community reminding others of the potential of the gift of life. Many members of this community have expressed the fact that this experience has influenced them to become organ donors. Once again, the giving spirit of Teresa and Taylor lives on.