SPRINGVILLE, Utah — It was graduation week this week for the Class of 2022 at Springville High School. There was much to celebrate, including the $7,280,362 in scholarships earned by the 418 students who received diplomas.
But there was a somberness, too, after the tragedy that took the life of junior Lily Conroy along with a graduate from last year’s class.
Lily was taken off life support last weekend. She was shot by her former boyfriend, Masao Kaanga, in what police suspect was a murder suicide on May 18th.
Lily Conroy was loved by everyone, as was evidenced by the outpouring of tributes to her by everyone who knew her – classmates, teammates, teachers and others.
Her former boyfriend, Masao Kaanga, who is believed to have killed her, is also remembered as a kind person. “I’m going to tell you, and this sounds strange,” Lisa Walker, certified athletic trainer and teacher at Springville High School, told A Woman’s View on KSL NewsRAdio, “but he was the nicest kid.
“Zero indication. Absolutely loved him. Amazing family. They’re from the same neighborhood,” Walker said.
“I’m going to tell you that from what I can see and what I’ve heard, the neighborhood and the community and the school have rallied behind both families which really, really warms my heart.”
More than 400 students were preparing to graduate from Springville High School when the shootings took place. How did this news affect them? Walker had high praise for the students and the Nebo School District.
“As far as the student body, they appear to be doing very well,” Walker explained. “I can tell you that I feel our district office did an amazing job at handling the situation. There are a lot of resources available for anybody who needs them. We’ve had a lot of positive things happen on campus.”
“On a personal level, I’m doing okay,” she added reluctantly. “As a teacher of all things medical on campus and being licensed health care as an athletic trainer, I’ve gotten a lot of training in this area of grief and psychology.
“It’s the first of this type of situation I’ve had to deal with, but unfortunately I’ve seen way too many students pass along the way.”
