Her Story

"Some lives are measured not by the years they lived, but by the countless hearts they touched. Shauntavia Ne'Chelle Horlbeck was one of those extraordinary lives. Through her unwavering faith, love for learning, compassion for others, and dedication to education, she left a legacy that continues to inspire all who knew her."

Early Years

From the very beginning, Shauntavia's vibrant personality shined brightly. As a baby, she loved attention, blowing bubbles and waving to everyone around her. She eagerly wanted to do whatever she saw others doing—from riding a bicycle and singing to putting puzzles together.

She began speaking clearly at an early age and took her first steps shortly after her first birthday. One of her favorite memories was singing "One Little Indian Girl" with her father, George.

At just thirteen months old, Shauntavia experienced a seizure and spent a week in the hospital. Even then, her sweet spirit captured the hearts of everyone around her, and the nurses and doctors quickly grew to love and spoil her.

Family

Family was the center of Shauntavia's world. She treasured time with those she loved and often planned activities that brought everyone together.

She especially enjoyed the special meals prepared by her grandmothers. Grandma Mary always made her favorite buttered white rice and hot dogs. Rosa lovingly prepared sweet potato pie for her to take home, while Grandma Ethel welcomed her with white rice and green beans whenever she visited downtown.

She also loved riding bicycles, racing, and playing basketball with her cousins, creating cherished memories that would last a lifetime.

Education

Shauntavia's love for learning began early. She attended Discovery School at the age of two, where she eagerly helped classmates color, trace, play games, and participate in classroom activities. She regularly appeared in nursery rhyme productions and absorbed new knowledge like a sponge.

She delighted in sharing everything she learned each day and often became the teacher's little assistant.

Her academic abilities quickly became evident. After testing, she was placed in the second grade. Although administrators suggested advancing her to third grade, her family decided she was simply too young. She excelled throughout her educational journey.

Later, Shauntavia attended Lambs Elementary School before enrolling in the School of the Arts, where she studied from sixth through twelfth grade. There she developed her love for music and performance while traveling and representing her school with excellence.

She performed twice in Orlando, where her group earned first-place honors both times. She also performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City and competed at Sterrett Hall on three separate occasions, earning first-place recognition each time. While attending Francis Marion University, she continued sharing her talents through performances in Chicago.

Her Calling as an Educator

Teaching was more than a profession for Shauntavia—it was her calling.

From an early age, she understood the importance of helping others learn and succeed. She naturally assisted classmates who needed extra support, celebrated their accomplishments, and never allowed anyone to feel left behind.

She believed learning should be engaging, practical, and enjoyable. Whether using clocks to teach fractions, creating games, singing songs, or connecting everyday experiences to classroom lessons, she constantly sought creative ways to help students understand difficult concepts.

Shauntavia firmly believed every child could succeed when given encouragement, patience, and multiple opportunities to learn. She refused to give up on her students and inspired them never to give up on themselves.

Surrounded by educators—including her mother, godmother, and close family friends—she embraced the values of excellence, compassion, and lifelong learning

The Difference She Made

Shauntavia worked tirelessly to help students see mathematics as something meaningful rather than something to fear.

She transformed lessons into memorable experiences by incorporating games, music, outdoor exploration, and real-life applications that made learning exciting and accessible.

Beyond the Classroom

Her passion for serving students extended far beyond the school day.

Shauntavia served as an assistant coach for the West Florence Step Team, a role deeply appreciated by both students and parents.

She devoted countless lunch periods and after-school hours to tutoring students who needed extra support.

As a gifted entrepreneur, she also created handcrafted jewelry from clay, designed decorative coasters, made balloon animals, and designed custom T-shirts. She frequently invited students to observe her creative process, teaching them not only artistic skills but also valuable lessons about entrepreneurship, hard work, and perseverance.

Her Character

Shauntavia lived with kindness, humility, compassion, and unwavering faith. She treated every person with dignity and respect, offered encouragement freely and inspired those around her to become the very best versions of themselves.

Her Legacy

Shauntavia's legacy continues to live on through every life she touched, every student she inspired, every lesson she taught, and every act of kindness she shared.

Today, the Shauntavia Ne'Chelle Horlbeck Memorial Foundation proudly carries forward her passion for education, service, leadership, and community. Through scholarships, educational initiatives, and acts of compassion, her beautiful legacy will continue to educate, empower, and inspire future generations.

Even during one of the most challenging seasons of her life, Shauntavia remained resilient, creative, and positive. The earrings she wears in this photograph were handcrafted by her, a beautiful reflection of the creativity, strength, and spirit that remained uniquely hers.