For the second time this month, teachers, staff and administrators at Capital High School consoled students after losing one of their peers in a car crash.

Jessica "Jess" Lynn Bright, 17, a junior at Capital, died at the scene of a two-vehicle crash Monday night on Green Meadow Drive near Foxborro Lane, just 20 days after classmate Angela Mae Dwyer, 17, died in a wreck about a mile away.

"... This is the second tragedy for this school," said Joe Furshong, student services administrator. "Some students were barely getting over the last accident."

Time was an advantage for the school community because the accident happened in the evening, and the previous one took place in the morning before the start of school. Furshong said it allowed for the staff to be more prepared to assist with student and staff reactions.

Many students heard the news Monday night, so when they arrived at school on Tuesday, they had already spent time mourning with their families, Furshong said. He added that having family support is a critical part of the healing process.

So is being in school surrounded by friends, he said.

Nonetheless, the school community is suffering, said Capital assistant principal Walt Chancy.

"Our school is hurting," he said.

Teachers read a uniform letter to their classes during first period to offer the facts and stifle rumors.

Counselors were on hand throughout the day to monitor students. Students were welcome to go home if parents felt that was the best place for them, Furshong said.

"It's like there is an invisible net around the kids," he added.

Capital counselor Heidi Scanlon said she was impressed by students' maturity in the midst of their sorrow. A group gathered in the library and, along with speaking about the loss of a friend, they spoke about appropriate speed limits on Green Meadow Drive and cell phone use while driving, although it isn't determined to be a factor at this point.

"No doubt there was grief, but they thought about what we can do now to cut down on this happening," Scanlon said.

Bright is described by friends and family as a dependable, smart young person with a stellar work ethic who cared for others -- a blonde teenager who loved music and peace symbols.

Close friend Keli Nay said the pair enjoyed staying up late for sleepovers, having coffee at Starbucks and hanging out at God's Love.

"She wouldn't judge them (residences at God's Love) just because they didn't have money," Nay said. "She knew they all had stories and would ask them about their families and their past."

Nay was eager to speak of her friend, whom she'd known since sixth grade, but couldn't fight the tears running down her checks.

"She was one of the bravest people I ever met," Nay said. "She's not afraid to do anything -- to stand up for herself and wasn't scared of what people would think of her."

Nay said Bright taught her a lot about people and how to treat them equally -- free from judgment with love and care in her heart.

The tragedy is doubly painful for many students who knew both Dwyer and Bright. Nay is one of them.

"Two in 20 days is just unbearable," she said.

Teacher Debi Stiles had Bright in earth science and had also been her track coach.

"It's devastating because she's such a sweet girl," Stiles said. "She had such sincerity in how she looked at people."

Stiles said she was every teacher's dream as a student because she gave it her best effort even when things didn't come so easy.

"She took the time to ask for help," she said. "She gave it what you want to see them all do -- give 100 percent."

Jimm Conley, assistant principal at Capital, said Bright was quiet and not a student who sought the limelight. She was a good student who had no discipline record to speak of, he said.

Capital teacher Riitta Ballantyne knew Bright not only through school but also as family friends who camped and fished together.

"She was quiet, sweet and beautiful -- and when she would smile she would light up the room," she said. "She was so smart, a good student and a friend to others. She always did what was expected. She was someone to count on -- someone admired."

Bright was once a member of the Capital chorale. Instructor Darcy Schulz said she was fun and an enjoyable student to have in class. A soprano, Schulz said Bright had a passion for singing and was loved by her peers.

A letter went home to Capital parents Tuesday encouraging them to attend the funeral with their children.

"It's very important for parents to be with their children as they go through this," Furshong said.

A memorial is set up in the trophy case in the school entry where students are welcome to leave tokens of remembrance, cards, flowers or letters.

Nay is going to put her old cell phone in the trophy case turned into a memorial for Bright because it has dozens of photos and recordings of the two of them. The contents will be left until the end of the week when they will then be given to Bright's parents.

Jess is the daughter of Jim and Becky Bright. She has a brother, R.J., who is a freshman at Capital.

Jim Bright described his daughter as "spiritual."

"Jess is genuinely very concerned about people," he said.

As a young girl, Jess spent a lot of time riding horses, but as she got older her focus shifted to her friends. She worked at a local day care center, and her mom said she frequently told her cute stories about the small children.

Becky said her daughter had a soft spot for children, those with developmental disabilities and people less fortunate.

"She had a caring heart without judgment," Becky said.

Becky mustered up a tearful giggle when she spoke of her daughter having "music ADD."

"She couldn't listen to a song without listening to an entire song," Becky said.

Jess' organs and tissue were donated, Becky said, "because it's clearly something she would have done."

"I love her and I'm going to miss her sweet smile and joyful laugh," Jim said.

Hagler-Anderson Mortuary is handing the arrangements and a memorial service is expected to be held on Friday with a funeral on Saturday. Nothing firm is set.

Reporter Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com