|
 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.
On May 26, 2000, Dara collapsed 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.
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.
Although Dara's journey on earth has ended,
she lives on through many students receiving scholarships to
help them along on their journeys. |
