By Jacob Unson

Of all the students who will graduate this year, special note should be paid to one who would’ve graduated along with her peers had her life not been tragically cut short. Dana Marie Carr, a second grade student in Schuylkill Elementary, was involved in a fatal auto accident in 1999. Those who knew her also remember that she had her heart set on becoming a teacher.

Some time after her passing, the Dana Marie Carr Memorial Fund was established to “award scholarships to two graduating high school students who demonstrate the same potential as Dana Marie did in her short life.” To this end, the annual ‘Run for Dana Marie’ foot race has been held over the past several years in Phoenixville. The most recent run was the 10th and final ‘Run For Dana Marie’ in Phoenixville history, at the end of which her family was presented with a sort of ‘yearbook’ that commemorated what would’ve been her graduation year, and the class she would’ve graduated with. Senior Maygan Henzie, a good friend of Dana Marie, explained that “the run is a special time for all of Phoenixville to get involved and show a unique family that we all truly care.”

Her friends remember her fondly, and regret that her life was taken so suddenly. Senior Lexi Condit, who was a Dana Marie Memorial Scholarship winner, stated “I remember Dana’s generosity! We would play Barbies for hours on end and she would always let me pick out my favorite ones of hers to borrow.” Maygan Henzie added, “Dana was my best friend; I remember things like buying the same shoes together or sitting with her [on the bus] on the way to school. Little things such as these will stay with me forever.” Senior Amy Osterhoudt said of Dana Marie, “She was always fun and happy and easy to get along with; it’s just a shame we didn’t get to know her better.”

Dana Marie’s younger brother, freshman Scott Carr, also offered his memories of his older sister:

“[Dana Marie] was 8 at the time, and I remember that she always played with me a lot… she was kind, she was loving, she shared a lot, she loved everyone… she was the perfect little girl.”

Scott also went on to mention other things his sister did, such as her active involvement in the Girl Scouts, and hanging out with her friends. In her short life, Dana Marie was a social butterfly who loved her friends and family very much, and received the same love in return.

So while Dana Marie Carr is no longer with us physically, her spirit lives on in the memories of her friends and family, and in the ambitions of students who follow in her footsteps.

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Dana Marie in second grade