The Shawnee Mission West community is again today coping with the loss of a talented student.

Houston St. John, a 17-year-old junior at the school, died Tuesday afternoon in a car accident on I-435 in Lenexa. The driver of the other car in the accident was uninjured.

St. John was a gifted singer and performer known throughout the school for his show-stopping appearances in theatre productions. He was also a linebacker on SM West’s vaunted football team — and his death comes just one month and one day after his teammate Andre Maloney passed away after suffering a stroke on the field.

Below are videos highlighting the unique talents of two Shawnee Mission students who had much more to contribute than their short time allowed. Please keep the St. John and Maloney families and the entire SM West community in your thoughts today.

Houston St. John, I feel so incredibly honored to have heard you sing and perform. You will truly be missed. #RIPHouston #JustKeepSinging

— Claire Jaggers (@clairejaggers) November 6, 2013

#StayStrongWest #ShawneeMissionStrong #RIPHouston

— SMNorth Compliments (@SMNCompliments) November 6, 2013

Why did this have to happen to such an amazing person? He had so much going for him. He was so talented #RIPHouston pic.twitter.com/RxKZyNfTWI

— ⚓ⓐⓜⓨ ⓖⓡⓐⓝⓣ⚓ (@AmyMeiring13) November 6, 2013