On the way home from tennis matches, a carload of girls from the St. Charles North High School tennis team often could be seen driving through the city singing together.
        Leading the group and singing loudest of all was senior Samantha Joos – known as Sam to friends and family.
        "We'd always make everyone sing random songs as loud as we possibly could," said Laura Nicholson, her doubles partner and best friend. "All the tennis girls used to enjoy the ride home because we always used to sing and cheer up everyone's spirits."
        That's how teammates remembered Samantha Tuesday after learning the 17-year-old died in a car accident earlier in the day.
        "She was a young lady full of life and deeply involved with her friends and school," said St. Charles North High School Principal Frank Kesman.
        Joos was driving to school along Randall Road Tuesday morning when she apparently lost control of her 1988 Audi and struck a semi trailer truck head-on.  She was pronounced dead at Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva.
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        Sgt. Ken Cyzen of the Kane County Sheriff's Department said rain might have contributed to the crash, which occurred shortly after 8 a.m. on Randall just south of Crane Road.
        Joos was driving to school in time for her second period choir class, since as a senior she had the option of starting school late or leaving early if schedules permit.
        She had been a member of the school choir for four years.  A concert scheduled Tuesday night at school was canceled.  Joos was not going to perform in the concert but likely would have attended, Kesman said.
        Joos was also one of three seniors who played on the girl's tennis team all four years.  Just last week she was recognized with her teammates at a sports banquet.
        As a freshman and sophomore, Joos played on the varsity tennis team.&nbs! p; She was bumped down to junior varsity her junior year but continued playing.
        "A lot of gals in that situation might have quit," said varsity coach Tim Matacio.  "But she wanted to play tennis.  She worked at it a lot."
        Joos and Nicholson's doubles team placed third in the conference competition four weeks ago.  The team also placed third.
        For the past two years on the eve of the conference championship, Joos has hosted pasta dinners for the team at her house.
        "She always kept a positive attitude," said teammate Amanda Hudspeth, a senior.  "She made sure I never gave up with tennis."
        Over the summer, Joos worked as a lifeguard at the Batavia Quarry.  In September, she got a job as an order taker at Charlie Fox's Pizzeria when the local chain's new takeout location opened a few miles from her west side home.
        Her boss at the pizzeria, owner Eric Iverson, called her his favorite among his dozen employees.
        "She was the perfect employee, the perfect kid," Iverson said.  "She had everything going for her."
        Joos also competed in auto races with the Sports Car Club of America.
        She previously attended Thompson middle school and Richmond elementary.
        Nicholson said she and Joos were looking forward to taking a trip together during spring break.
        "We were excited to end senior year," Nicholson said.  "We were looking forward to college."
        Joos wanted to attend either the University of North Texas or a college in Ohio, said Nicholson, who said her friend was a good student.
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        ... Kesman said a school memorial for Joos would be planned soon.
        "She was a popular young lady, well-known," Kesman said.  "She had an impact on a lot of students.  Her unfortunate death will! also ha ve an impact on the students."
        Funeral arrangements were pending Tuesday night.