A day after she died in a car accident hours after attending prom, Madison Sims was remembered by a teacher as a “shining light to everyone she made contact with.”

Sims, 17, was a student at Paul W. Bryant High School in Cottondale outside Tuscaloosa and attended the school prom on Friday night. She died along with her date, 18-year-old Samuel Brown, when police said the 2022 Tesla Sims was driving collided with a semi-truck at Skyland Boulevard East and Interstate 20/59. The accident occurred about 1:50 a.m. Saturday.

The school announced a balloon release will be held Monday at 4:30 at the baseball field to “honor Madison’s memory.” The public is invited to attend.

Related: Tuscaloosa prom night crash with semi-truck kills 2 teens, injures 2 others

In a Facebook post, the school said it was “deeply saddened” by Sims’ death.

“Madison was a shining light to everyone she made contact with,” Malcolm Gross, who taught Madison math, said in the school’s post. “Although she was quiet, her presence spoke volumes to her peers and adults alike. She will be missed dearly.”

Bryant Principal Lydia Edwards also remembered Sims in the Facebook post.

“Madison will always live in the hearts that she left behind,” Edwards said. “She was a sweet and quiet student in our building. Madison knew the power of having strong friendships, and she loved wholeheartedly all who entered her friend circle. Madison was very soft-spoken, and her soft smile was easily shared when she talked with peers and adults. While Madison is gone from us now, we will continue to hold her in our hearts forever. Our grieving families and Stampede Nation need prayers for strength today and hope for tomorrow as we mourn the loss of our dear student, Madison.”

Brown, a senior, played football and basketball at R.C. Hatch, which is located in Uniontown.

“Praying for the family of Samuel Brown,” the school said in a Facebook post Saturday. “To say we will miss him would be an understatement!”