The Dartmouth community has lost one of its talented artists and musicians with the passing of Christina Porter '06 Sunday, Jan. 16, 2004, in the critical care unit of the JFK Johnson Medical Center in Edison, N.J. Porter died of severe head trauma sustained while skiing at the Dartmouth Skiway last February.
Porter, 21, had spent the past year recovering from a collision with a tree while skiing in a physical education class.
Following the accident, Porter was in a coma for six months and suffered a series of setbacks, including the removal of the synthetic skull that had taken the place of her shattered left skull and a small brain seizure this past fall.
The only child in a family of artists, Porter brought her love of art and music to Dartmouth. Planning to major in art history and French, she sang in both the Subtleties a cappella group and the College Glee Club. Fellow Glee Club member Sarah Ball '06 said she also painted scenery for her job with the scene shop and took voice lessons on campus.
Ball described Porter as a "talented, free-thinking, loving person and a valued member of the Glee Club." Ball remembered that the soprano loved to sing the Brown verse of the Ivy League Medley.
Holly Sedillos '05, who also sang in the Glee Club with Porter, remembered Porter's artistic talents and colorful personality.
"She was a brilliant artist," Sedillos said. "She liked to give people napkins, menus or any scraps of paper with portraits of themselves."
Sedillos also recalled instances when Porter would send colorful BlitzMail messages to her friends.
"Sorry to be annoying like a loving mosquito ... your just so bitable!" Porter once wrote.
"She didn't always make sense but that was part of her charm." Sedillos added.
Art and music were incorporated into Porter's therapy, as well. According to the Christina Fund for Head Trauma, which her parents established in her name, Porter responded to finger painting, and preferred particular colors and artists like Monet and Christo during her rehabilitation. A private music therapist was also working with Porter, and she enjoyed playing the piano with her left-index finger.
Porter's parents founded the Christina Fund following her accident to support advocacy of preventative measures against head injuries and research recovery methods, including experimental therapy using music and art.
The fund is planning to hold a benefit event Feb. 8 in Manhattan to raise money to support the venture.
A service honoring Porter's life will be held Friday in her hometown of Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. Porter's friends also hope to have a similar service on campus, although nothing definite is currently planned, Ball said.
"An uplifting memorial-type thing is what we were aiming for. My vision of it was more of a celebration," Ball said.
Porter's presence will be missed on campus.
"She was a loving friend, and it's hard to accept that she won't be back," Sedillos said. "Knowing that Stina was never going to be the same, I'm happy that she's moved on."
