CHRISTINA FUND FOR HEAD TRAUMA
CHRISTINA PORTER'S SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA FROM SKI ACCIDENT, FEBRUARY 3, 2004, IN BEGINNERS' SKI CLASS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM, DARTMOUTH COLLEGE, NH
News release, March 7, 2005
MEMORIAL AND INTERMENT OF CHRISTINA PORTER
Christina Porter's ashes were laid to rest in the columbarium of the largest cathedral in the world, the Episcopal Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, New York City, on Sunday, March 6, 2005.
As a lone trumpet echoed with an original composition, "Stina," throughout the 617 ft. long church, Christina was honored by participants including Dean Emeritus James Parks Morton; Dean James A. Kowalski; Dan Gotkin, Dartmouth College, Class of 2004; and Rev. Thomas Carrenard, formerly with the Dartmouth LOGOS Community, who sang the benediction, "Let there be peace." In the quietude of the cathe-dral, those in attendance heard a pronouncement by Judy Collins before her singing of "Amazing Grace," as follows: "Christina's death was a tragedy that should have been avoidable. The issue of helmets for the extremely dangerous sport of skiing is becoming an issue that must be addressed. The foundation begun in Christina's name will go far in helping others avoid the tragic death of this beautiful young woman who was on the brink of a tremendous creative career and a life of art and expression. Her story must serve to inspire others to right the terrible wrong. We celebrate Christina's spirit for her artistic yearnings and her beautiful young life today so we can remember that beauty and right intention are always with us. Today I dedicate 'Amazing Grace' to Christina's memory."
As the final procession led to the interment, children carried rainsticks from the Wai Wai Indians of the Amazon Rain Forest. By turning the rainsticks up and down, end to end, tiny river stones inside fall through woven baffles and mimic the sound of rain hitting the jungle canopy. The Wai Wai believe the sound of rain spiritually cleanses and prepares the ceremonial site. As her family passed by the Poetry Bay of the nave, thirty of Christina's poems were presented to the collection of the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. These poems and continuing updates will be available on line at www.thechristinafund.com.
(Signed) Brent Porter, Christina's father
