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This section displays all of the Central New York news articles published in the past 7 days.

Updated 05/29/2012 08:24 PM

Former coach reflects on State Trooper Amanda Anna's high school years

As the investigation continues into the car accident that killed State Trooper Amanda Anna, those who knew her best are reflecting on her earlier years as a high school student in Hannibal. Our Candace Hopkins has more with one of Anna's former coaches about her deep dedication to school, sports and her family.

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HANNIBAL, N.Y. -- It was 1997 when State Trooper Amanda Anna, known then by her maiden name Amanda Sweeney, enrolled in Hannibal High School after years of home schooling.

"One of the first things she did was look at the basketball program and I got to know her through that and I also had her in class. She was a very good student and a very good basketball player," said Amanda's former basketball coach Steve Cianfarano.

Amanda entered Hannibal as a junior and immediately immersed herself in athletics, the arts and her studies. In addition to basketball, she enjoyed softball, performing with the band and chorus and she was inducted into the National Honor Society, but her basketball skills stood out from the rest.

"She's in the top ten in almost like every category like defensive rebounds, offensive rebounds, points. As a senior, she was second in scoring in our team. She came on into a team that was at that time already a pretty good team in itself and she just added more to it," said Cianfarano.

Coach Cianfarano says her infectious personality followed her off the court and through her adult life as a mother and State Trooper.

"Happy, energetic, friendly, just a great person," Cianfarano said.

Most of all, she was strong in her faith, leaving behind this senior yearbook quote: "And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him." Now a community is turning to prayer to work through her death.

"The whole community needs to appreciate and show respect for all of our law enforcement officers. I think we need to be in prayer for the family and for her fellow officers who are really grieving right now and going through a hard time themselves," said George Miller, North Syracuse Baptist Church's Senior Pastor.

Those who knew her say, despite her short life, her impact on her community will never be forgotten.