 Dara
Hosta loved to run. As an eighth grader on the Olmsted 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
fast pitch 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).
In 1999, Dara competed in the Cleveland Indians/FOX Sports Net
Baseball Skills Competition and placed second in the western
region. 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 Night 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 member
of the Olmsted Falls High School Treble Choir, she had secured
a position with The Golden Expressions singing group and had
performed in the Masquers Drama Club's spring musical production.
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. 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. She passed away
on June 1, 2000. Although Dara's journey on earth has ended,
she lives on through many students receiving scholarships to
help them along on their journeys. The race is also in memory
of Moriah Lydon, Rocky River student and 14-year-old granddaughter
of Jesse Bell-our Bonne Bell sponsor. Moriah passed away on September
12, 2001 while running cross country practice. |
