Diana Smith Youth Theater Fund Passion with a Purpose 9 A Fitting Tribute Unique Fund Opens the Curtain for Youth in Theater “Approach every day as an adventure.” Diana Smith lived by those words, and hoped that others in her life - adults and children alike – would live by them, too. Her parents say she was fearless when it came to new experiences and meeting new people. Born with cystic ibrosis, and having had a bilateral lung transplant, Diana was determined never to let her obstacles get in the way of what she wanted to do. When Diana’s adventure was cut short in June 2016 at the young age of 33, her passion for theater and her zest for life had her friends at Oscoda’s Shoreline Players searching for a tribute that would both honor their friend and inspire a love of theater in the community she called home. “The theater had become a home away from home for Diana, and the people a second family,” said Shoreline Players President, Susan Miller. “Diana always had a special place in her heart for kids; and what better way to continue her legacy than to ensure the kids – her kids – would continue to grow and learn.” Diana was a Shoreline Players member for over ten years, appearing onstage, directing shows, and serving on its Board of Directors. She also directed the Shoreline Players Youth Drama Association (SPYDA) for ive years. She even got her parents involved in the theater, eventually performing onstage alongside her father. Her mother became the of icial brownie-baker for the theater. Miller says it was Diana’s involvement with SPYDA that really sparked the idea to pay tribute to Diana through the theater, because keeping the youth group active and available to all who want to participate was so important to her. Diana Smith Passion with a Purpose 5