by KAMA KORVELA
One of 16-year-old Shauna Hill’s favorite songs was “Little Wonders” by Rob Tomas. One line from the song seems to sum up her life particularly well — “It’s the heart that really matters in the end.” Shauna’s heart, and her love for her life, was wide, deep and seemingly ever- lasting. On Dec. 10, 2012, Shauna was driving near her home in Eagle, Idaho, when her car was struck by another vehicle. On Dec. 18, af- ter six days in a coma, the Boise Figure Skating Club member died from injuries suffered in the accident. She was laid to rest on Dec. 23 in the company of her community, including her skat- ing club friends and coaches. Her family and friends do not want this extraordinary young woman to be remembered for such tragic cir- cumstances but instead for her beautiful spirit, intellect and many gifts. Shauna began skating at the age of 10 while her family was living in Fort Worth, Texas. “She was so inspired by the Torino Olym-
pics,” Heidi Hill, Shauna’s mother, said. “She would perform waltz jumps around our living room.”
Te sport proved to be much more than
just a hobby to her. “Skating gave her a place to grow, taught
her how to socialize and meet friends,” Heidi said. “Skating built her self-esteem and self-con- fidence and was life-changing for Shauna be- cause it carved a path for a better life in every way imaginable.” Te teenager progressed quickly, eventually passing her junior moves, novice free skate and preliminary dance tests. Hill also competed at the 2011 National Solo Dance Championships. All athletes have their own challenges to
overcome and Shauna was no different. She had Asperger’s syndrome, an autism spectrum disor- der that can make social interaction and com- munication difficult but she never let this hold her back in skating or other pursuits.
38 APRIL 2013
“We encouraged her to skate because we could see the benefits (of the sport) with the challenges of Asperger’s,” Heidi said. “Skating was her platform for a successful life and very happy teen years.” And though figure skating was a significant
part of Shauna’s life, she always kept it in per- spective, said her best friend, Brooke Comstock. “When she competed, it was never about points or winning,” Comstock said. “Shauna was competitive but never showed it very much. She just enjoyed showing her love for the sport.” Shauna’s personality was incredibly kind and considerate, according to her friend. “She would always put others before her-
self,” Comstock said. “Shauna would give com- pliments to others but never expected anything in return.”
Te two teenagers worked together for
their rink’s learn-to-skate program, which was a way for Shauna to give back to the sport she cherished so much. “She loved to teach others and was a great
leader,” Comstock said. Although Shauna had just decided she was no longer going to skate competitively — in fact, her goal was to earn double gold medals in her moves-in-the-field and free skate tests — she never lost any joy for the sport, said her coach Cynthia Tang. “Shauna was always so positive, enthusias-
tic,” Tang said. “She was proof of how far your passion can take you.”
Tat passion translated into other areas of
her young life as well. In addition to being an accomplished figure skater, Shauna was a talent- ed, self-taught violinist who once performed at Carnegie Hall. She was an animal lover and had a menagerie of pets, including a mini Schnauzer named Buddy, hamsters and hermit crabs. Te environment was also an interest of hers. “Her dream was to attend Stanford Uni- versity and become an environmental lawyer,
so she could work toward responsible solutions on energy conservation or work for the EPA,” Heidi said. “She believed knowledge was power — nothing was more important to her than her studies and academics. Shauna was an advocate for solidarity, justice, peace and charity.” To honor their daughter’s memory, the Hills decided to donate her heart. “We know Shauna would want for the sto-
ry of her life to end with love and compassion for others, so it made the decision easier for us,” Heidi said. “Her dad and I decided to donate her heart to someone who had a family and bad- ly wanted life. Te surgery began around 6 p.m. Boise time, and Shauna’s sweet and loving heart was inside and beating within a 27-year-old fe- male recipient in Portland by 8:30 p.m.” Not only did the family give Shauna’s heart,
they also gave her liver, kidneys and pancreas. “We tried to find a way to transfer every
parent’s worst fear and our own misery into something positive,” Heidi said. Another way her family will remember the
skater’s spirit is through the Shauna Hill Scholar Figure Skating Award.
“Tis is a fund that is available to a skater or skaters that show great academic strength, commitment and dedication to the sport of figure skating and outstanding sportsmanship,” Heidi explained. “Te funds are to be used for college tuition and expenses.” But perhaps what people will remember most about the teenager is her eternal optimism and joy in everyday life. “Her smile is what I miss most,” Tang said.
“She showed how much a smile can make some- one’s day.” To donate to the Shauna Hill Scholar Fig-
ure Skating Award, please send contributions to: Summers Funeral Home, 3629 E. Ustick Rd., Boise, ID 83646 Attn: Shauna Hill Scholar Fig- ure Skating Award
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