His parents and siblings were among the dozens on hand.
"It was devastating. His whole family is devastated. We are all devastated. Kip was one of my best friends; we all love Kip. It's terrible," friend Aron Morgan said.
"When I first heard it, I really couldn't believe it because he's not just a best friend to me, he really was a brother to me. To hear something like that, my heart basically dropped," friend Matt Galanbos said.
Kip Taviano, 17, was a senior at the Haverford School in Haverford, Pa.
He was headed for Furman University to play lacrosse in the fall.
His friends say he was quick with a smile and thought of others over himself.
"It's just his smile. Every time, I saw his smile. I saw this quote the other day 'a smile is a curve that sets the world straight' and he just saw the good in everything," former classmate Vince Garman said.
"He was just a happy kid. I never saw him without a smile on his face and even the smallest things could amuse him and make him happy," Robert Burch said.
State police say around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Taviano lost control of his silver Toyota on the 300 block of Smithbridge Road.
His vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and he had a head on collision with a Land Rover. The driver of the other car had minor injuries.
Taviano was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Haverford School graduation is just days away, but instead of a celebration, Taviano will be laid to rest.
"It's going to be terrible walking across the stage and not seeing him, walking out to the field after graduation and not being with him," Morgan said.
Taviano's friends are trying to make sure his memory lives on.
"You think someone affects you, and then you realize that our entire community, everyone around him, was positively affected by him," said classmate Mike Mazzola.
"He made everyone feel so great about themselves," said another classmate, Joseph Raymond. "Before putting himself up, he boosted others up."
The Haverford School released the following statement Wednesday concerning Kip Taviano's death:
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Haverford School senior Kip Taviano, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident Tuesday evening.
The School community is shocked and saddened, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the Taviano family and Kip's many friends. Kip was loved by all who knew him, and he will be missed dearly. We will work together today and in the coming weeks to support our boys and the School community in coping with this tragedy.
Taviano entered The Haverford School in ninth grade and will be remembered for his affable personality. He was a respected member of the varsity football and lacrosse teams. In October 2012, Taviano committed to play for the new Division I lacrosse program at Furman University beginning in fall 2013.
We will share more information as details become available. Thank you to all for your continued support and the outpouring of thoughts and prayers for the Taviano family.
