Capping off a lifetime of service, her last act was one of service to others.

Heather Christensen has been lauded for her unselfish act of trying to control a bus carrying American Fork High School marching band members Saturday after the driver was unable to continue. Christensen was ejected from the bus and was killed in the accident. There were no student fatalities, however, and none of their injuries was life threatening.

John Miller, director of bands at AFHS, paid tribute to Christensen.

"Heather is one of my former students, an amazing colleague and most importantly she is an inspiring teacher," he said. "She has touched the lives of thousands of people. She passed away doing what she always does, trying to help kids. Her last moments were trying to save those kids on the bus.

"It's been a difficult experience for students. They've lost a friend and teacher. They're going to continue to contribute and excel as a tribute to their teacher."

Christensen was a teacher at both American Fork High School and American Fork Junior High School. She taught math and woodwinds.

"She loved working with kids and has been involved in youth groups, with both choral music and band," said band booster Karen Adams.

Rhonda Bromley, spokeswoman for Alpine School District, said Christensen had also taught an elementary music program after school, which was open to students from all five American Fork area elementary schools.

"She was a busy lady," Bromley said.

Christensen graduated from American Fork High School in 1994, and served as a drum major in the band.

"She had the same personality as an adult as she had as a student," Bromley said. "She was bubbly and outgoing and people loved to be around her. She was very service-oriented. She was so much fun to be around, so positive and good for the students."

Unmarried, Christensen considered the band members to be her family.

Those band members will return the compliment at their Tuesday evening performance at BYU. AFHS is expected to play around 8:30 or 9 p.m.

The band's show this year pays tribute to veterans, particularly those of the World War II era. At the end of the show, color guard members are dressed in white, and in the final movement are like a cemetery full of white crosses.

"It about takes your breath away," Adams said. At the end of their final appearance, they show posters at the back of the field, showing scenes of the era.

At the end the students turn them around and they show veterans.

"They will be adding a big picture of Heather on the back of one of those posters," Adams said.

The students paid tribute to her at a memorial service Sunday evening, then at school on Monday. Often when there is a death, the students come to school in their best dress to honor the individual.

Miller told the students that Christensen hated wearing dresses and would best be honored by the students attending school wearing flip flops, which they did on Monday.

In high school, Christensen sang in several choirs, including the A Cappella choir and the school's top choir, Chamber Choir. She also played the clarinet in band and, in her senior year in high school, she was a drum major for the marching band.

She played clarinet in the symphonic band and played saxophone in the jazz band. In addition to music, she was involved in the National Honors Society.

After graduating in 1994, she attended the University of Utah and graduated in 1999. While at the University of Utah, she participated in its marching band and was the drum major for two years. She earned her master's degree in music education in 2005. She taught at Riverton High School and American Leadership Academy before teaching at American Fork High School.

Fellow teacher Sam Beeson wrote a tribute to Christensen on a blog.

"My daughter cried when she heard Heather had passed away," he wrote. "Heather was like a wonderful road on a flowery hill. A road that disappoints the hiker when it comes to a halt, but oh, what a well-kept road it was. Heather was a means to the peaks and smells and colors of the unique places, the good paths, the lovely groves."

Band booster president Wendy Jones said Christensen related well to the students.

"She related to them on several dimensions," she said. "She dedicated her time and energy to these kids. The dedication she offered and her enthusiasm -- these kids were in awe of her. She expected professionalism, greatness and for them to excel. She received that from them. The kids respected her. She was a good education."

"I can only say wonderful things about her," she added. "I respect her greatly."

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