COLLIER COUNTY: It was a tearful goodbye for a Golden Gate Estates teenager. Kayla Joiner died in a car crash and she was ejected from the passenger seat. Officials say she was not wearing her seatbelt. NBC2's Marisa Brahney found there is a message family and friends will now carry in the girl's memory.

In a week filled with tears, questions, and grief there was a bright spot - a penny found facing heads up. And Kayla Joiner's teacher knows just why she found it.

"I know it came from Kayla. It was a penny from heaven. So I want to thank her, because I will need that tonight," said Joiner's teacher Jami MacLarty.

Friday night was a very hard night for Joiner's loved ones.

Nicole Hoffman survived the crash that killed her friend - a friend she remembers as lively, funny, and strong.

"She acted like there was no more tomorrow. As in, she did live her life to the fullest," said Hoffman.

But with Joiner's death came an important message. We saw many cars displaying the words "Buckle Up for Kayla."

"You would never think that it would happen to your good friend. Or you don't think it could happen to you. You think maybe it happens to other teens. You don't think, 'Oh, she's just going to be gone in a second,'" said Hoffman.

"I hope that they learn from this. I think Kayla would think it's very important that they wear their seatbelts," said MacLarty.

Kayla's family is starting a scholarship fund in her memory and buckling up will be its theme.

Friends say they'll remember Joiner by spreading the message - but also for so much more.

"It will scar you for life. But you have to remember the person for who she is and not the accident," said Hoffman.

Joiner's family says the student who receives her memorial scholarship will have to get a certain percentage of their classmates to sign a promise to wear their seatbelts.