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YARD SMART COMMUNITY
PROJECTS
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Dara,
an honor student, was aspiring to be an opera singer and planned to
study music and vocal performance after graduating from high
school.
She collapsed May 26, 2000 for unknown reasons after
winning the 400 meter in her physical education class at Olmsted
Falls High School.
Although Dara's journey has ended on earth,
Dara's family wanted to create both a special place for people to remember Dara by as well as a
way to highlight her bountiful spirit and
give back to the community.
As a result, a beautiful memorial garden was created with the help
of Yard Smart; and later the
annual
'Dara Hosta Olmsted Spirit 5K Race/Walk'
was initiated to raise scholarship funds for students to help them
along on their own life journeys.
Below are photos of Yard Smart's work of turning a plain outside stadium area into a
welcoming area for people to sit, admire and remember Dara Hosta,
along with a special dedication ceremony
of the garden. Please read more about Dara Hosta. |
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[file:///C:/WEBSHARE/Yardsmart/photogallery/photo00032766/real.htm] |
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THE DEDICATION OF THE DARA HOSTA MEMORIAL
GARDEN |
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[file:///C:/WEBSHARE/Yardsmart/photogallery/photo00030868/real.htm] |
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Dara Hosta loved to run. As an eighth
grader on the Omsted Falls Middle School track team, she placed
first in the SWC 100-meter low hurdles, first in the 400-meter
medley, and second in the 200-meter low hurdles. Dara was a member
of the middle school cross country team in 1998, and was a
three-time winner of the President’s Physical Fitness Award. Dara
also loved baseball. As a freshman, Dara earned places on her
school’s girls’ varsity fastpitch softball team and girls’ varsity
golf team. She was starting second baseman on the boys’ travel
Hotstove hardball team where she led her team in stolen bases (Pop
Warner League). Dara was known throughout the community for her beautiful singing voice,
which many considered to be mature beyond her years. She was
awarded the highest ranking for her soprano vocal performances at
the Falls Music Festivals in 1999 and 2000, and was the overall
winner of the Friday Nigh Live PTA Talent Competition in 1999 with
her English/Italian rendition of “Time To Say Goodbye.” She
returned in a guest performance at the 2000 competition where she
enthralled the audience with her selections of “Anytime, Anywhere”
and “Phantom of the Opera.” Dara was a member of the Singers Group,
and won the Middle School Choir “Student of the Year” in 1998-1999.
As a
choir member of St. Mary of the Falls Catholic Church, Dara often
attended Mass twice on Sunday so that she could share her vocal gift
with the parish. Her beautiful rendition of “Pie Jesu” brought many
of the parishioners to tears at Good Friday services in the spring
of 2000. She also enjoyed entertaining nursing home residents. |
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