When those who knew Allison Caimi describe her, all speak of her love for teaching, her sense of humor and her amazing personality.

Caimi (senior-education) died Friday in a car accident on U.S. Route 322 at the Milroy exit in Mifflin County while on her way to Lewistown to do what she loved -- student teach a 5th-grade class.

Jill Plowchin, one of Caimi's roommates who graduated in December, said people will remember her for being "so nice and so funny" and for being surprised that people thought of her in that way. "When we were joking around, she had such a witty banter and humor," she said.

Pete Terbovich (senior-international business) said he has been a part of Caimi's group of friends since preschool. Caimi was an intelligent and supportive friend who was always willing to listen, he said.

Terbovich said Caimi was confident, outgoing and loved talking to people. She had a fun personality that led her to love goofy things such as sled riding.

"She was one of those people who loved everybody," Terbovich said.

In high school, Caimi was involved in gymnastics and cheerleading and was a peer helper, he said.

After coming to Penn State, Caimi was undecided about a major and then considered creative writing. She finally decided on teaching, possibly because of the influential teachers she had in high school, Terbovich said.

Once she chose the profession, Caimi really enjoyed planning activities for the kids and being creative, he said.

"When she decided on teaching, she was passionate about it," he added.

Plowchin said Caimi, who would have graduated in May, loved student teaching and would have made an amazing teacher. "She really loved kids," she said. "Student teaching took up a lot of her time. She completely devoted herself to it."

Caimi was traveling with 22-year-old Stephanie Lent. Caimi was in the passenger seat of the car, which crossed the grass median of Route 322 around 7:30 Friday morning and was hit by a tractor-trailer on the passenger side and then by a UPS truck on the driver's side.

Lent was flown to the Danville Geisinger Medical Center with a broken tibia and clavicle and internal bruising. As of yesterday afternoon, Lent remained in serious condition.

Plowchin said Caimi and Lent knew each other through classes over the past few years and have both been student teaching at Highland Park Elementary School during the spring semester.

The viewing will be held today in Caimi's hometown of Ridgway, and a memorial service will be held tomorrow.