"THE sunshine always came out when she was around" - that's the way Taunton School headmaster, Dr John Newtown, remembers 19-year-old Lizzie Pincock.
He said Lizzie was a huge part of school life as she was head of Weirfield House, a prefect and she played hockey for the school's first team.
She left the school as a student in 2007 but had been employed as a gap year worker in the preparatory school right up until her she departed for South America in March.
In an interview with the County Gazette this week, Dr Newtown said: "Lizzie would have made an exceptional leader, she was unstoppable example, she had an international understanding and courage.
"She was multi-talented and continuously cheerful. She always made people feel cheered up.
"The sunshine came out when she was around - she was going to be one of life's winners."
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"I was so proud of her."
Lizzie's talents in sport and drama were set to have been further developed following her gap-trip as she had just accepted a place at Loughborough University to study English and Sports Science, in September.
For a special report, see the Somerset County Gazette on Thursday, April 17
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