A Valdosta High School student passed away on Friday.

Derika Daffin, 17, suffered from hyperthyroidism, said her mother, Martika Waymon said.

At school Friday afternoon her blood pressure went up really high, causing a stroke, Waymon said.

An ambulance was called to the school and Daffin later passed away at South Georgia Medical Center.

Daffin had been suffering from high blood pressure since July of 2007, Waymon said.

The senior ran track and was on the dance team at Valdosta High School. She had plans to attend the University of Georgia after graduating and majoring in forensic science, Waymon said.

“She was a smart, pretty, talented girl,” she said. “She liked to sing and dance and was a very friendly person.”

Services for Daffin are tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 29.