Samuels had just finished her freshman year at the University of Arkansas after graduating from Rogers High School in 2015.
While she was at Rogers High, Samuels played tennis from her freshman to junior year, her team winning the state championship in 2013.
Her former tennis coach Matt Fulton said Samuels was passionate and left an impact on everyone she met
“I think anyone that knows her was just amazed at how many things she had on her docket," said Fulton. "She was a goal oriented person and just one of those type of people that we`re fortunate to have known."
Her former teammates who are Rogers High School juniors said she was a great friend.
“Jessamy was the most genuine and caring person," said Emilee Smith. "She left a little bit of herself in every single person she knew and she really was one of the most personable and caring kind people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.”
Samuels quit the tennis team her senior year to become co- editor of the school paper. Her former journalism teacher Leslie Price said she was driven and inspired everyone to be a better person.
“She really impacted everybody I think and I do feel like I learned a lot from her. It was always like I was talking to an adult, even when she was a freshman. It was an adult conversation,” said Price.
After graduating high school, Samuels went on to the University of Arkansas where she was planning to major in anthropology. She had just wrapped up her freshman year this month.
“I think that it kind of shows us that life is pretty fragile and she lived her life to the fullest. I think it`s pretty important especially as high schoolers that we need to do the same thing because you never know what`s going to happen,” said Shreya Majagi.
Samuels was also a member of the Young Democrats of Arkansas. The group expressed their condolences on Facebook by posting a picture of Samuels along with a quote from her that read. "Sometimes it all gets a bit much, but we remember that we are alive and will keep living, and we smile and smile."